Most of the iguanas in the backyard run away when I go out and the smaller ones scurry up trees as quickly as they can. They usually go high up in the deep leaves and their color blends right in so I never can get a picture of them. But today I caught this guy before he ascended all the way. It's worth noting that the big iguanas usually just walk or perhaps jog slowly off but never panic like the smaller ones.
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| Almost well hidden |
Colson the call duck spent the whole day in the backyard or in the water right near the canal bank. He did some talking to me in his raspy little quack-voice and seems to be really comfortable with the backyard scene as chaotic as it can sometimes be. The reason I say he is talking to me is that he walks right up to me and starts chatting. He's such a friendly little guy. He looks good in the water in this picture after coming up from his bath.
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| Colson going for a swim |
The great egret was again on the dock post today and then retreated to the other side of the canal when I went outside. The pigeon came by for dinner in the late afternoon. And we had a collection of cardinals, blue jays and redwing blackbirds at the feeders or on the ground eating.
Ani the anhinga plopped herself down on the dock rail which doesn't really look like a good place to sit. She was content, though, so who am I to say.
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| Seems like a narrow spot to sit |
The female painted bunting visited again this evening so she must be making the neighborhood her winter home.
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| They serve good eats here but I shouldn't talk with my mouth full. |
Before I get to the ducks, there was one more bird to report on today. The tricolor heron stopped on the boat for a while and then went down to the beach for a little look-see.
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| This is a nice quiet beach when the gallinules are gone. |
Every day there is something to say about the ducks in the backyard. And the story is usually about the Muscovies. Today is no exception though it was a quieter day overall than yesterday. There were relatively few Muscovies in the morning. Blanco, Black Foot, Lazlo, Big Boy, the Cuties and a few of the harem girls were in attendance. In fact the girl population is really down. Sweetie, Smiley and Blackie2 were not around, and Pretty Girl slowed up late in the evening. Blanco took that opportunity to jump Pretty Girl and mate with her. He has wanted to do that for a long time but one or another of the males always stopped him.
The juveniles and mom came in the morning. They are really not the least bit cute any more as they are at that awkward stage between good looking adult and cute baby. It is not a pretty sight right now.
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| This messy looking teen is the biggest and probably a boy |
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| This friendly one with distinctive yellow-tipped feet is probably a girl. |
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| She is growing her first caruncle on her nose |
Finally the little Muscovy babies with their mom Chirpie showed up in the evening. There are still 3 survivors of the original 5.
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| Cute little troopers |
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