Female Mallard with plenty of suitors (I counted 15)Click picture to enlarge
In the Spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin's breast;
In the Spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest;
In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove;
In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.
From the poem "Locksley Hall"
Alfred Lord Tennyson
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An interesing comment from Rambling Woods...
Ruth...You caught a great photo of a mallard hen giving a revulsion nod to the mallard drake on her right. Her mate is at the front of the pack and she is giving a call and head jerk that indicates that she is not interested in those males...
From the poem "Locksley Hall"
Alfred Lord Tennyson
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An interesing comment from Rambling Woods...
Ruth...You caught a great photo of a mallard hen giving a revulsion nod to the mallard drake on her right. Her mate is at the front of the pack and she is giving a call and head jerk that indicates that she is not interested in those males...
The water looks so blue. I have never seen mallards court before. Is that why they are all gathering around her? So cool!
ReplyDeleteAh,yes,the season of love is upon us.Well not quite,in our area,but as soon as the birds return.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Not that I'm young (I'm 39 and a half), but for me spring was the most depressing season. In order from most to least favorite would be fall, winter, summer, spring.
ReplyDeleteShe looks like a queen with all her guards around her. Lovely photograph.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen mallards court before either. Nice pic. And thank you for identifying the dark-eyed junco on my blog - even with such a bad picture, you were able to see it.
ReplyDeleteThanks - let's hope spring comes soon. I'm ready!
I hope she can swim and fly fast. What a crowd. Great capture, Ruth.
ReplyDeleteSeems like many are thinking spring.
Just a beautiful picture - difficult to believe spring is around the corner as we have a real blizzard tonight - dreaming of snow shoveling tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLOL Ruth! Maybe there is a shortage of mallard women? In my observation of the mallards at a local duck pond did not include one female. Boy, the competition is really rough for those guys!
ReplyDeleteOh to be young, in love and to have so many men wanting you. Isn't that every girls dream?
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the peacock at the farm. He is followed around all day by what my Dad calls his harem(the chickens). Looks like this lovely lady has a harem of her own.
Great post!!
Thanks for your comments. I know nothing about the mating behaviour of Mallards. This picture was taken on Lake Ontario in January so they were not going to be nesting any time soon. There were plenty of females about, but this one had something special it seems.
ReplyDeleteRuth..You caught a great photo of a mallard hen giving a revulsion nod to the mallard drake on her right. Her mate is at the front of the pack and she is giving a call and head jerk that indicates that she is not interested in those males...
ReplyDeleteRW- Thanks for sharing this information. Very interesting! I had thought her look was meaningful.
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