Wood ducks and their ducklings

Wood duck (female) and her duckling; wood duck duckling; male wood duck.
Wildewood Springs. Photo credit: Beth Price

Beth Price and I met early and walked for almost two hours. "I'm a bird-walker," Beth said. I guess I am, too.

I didn't know which bird photo to post today. Beth said she's identified 65 species in Wildewood Springs, which she graciously shares with Wildewood Wonders.

And then we ran into a couple Wood Duck families on the big pond. I admit to fascination about the athleticism of ducks. I'm easily mesmerized by their scurry across the pond surface. It's practice for flying.

There was a lot of practicing this morning.

I recall whispering to myself with wonder: They look like they're walking on water as fruition. Who wants to fly when you can run across the water? 

And then this anticipation—maybe this is the moment duckling will take off. I watch and watch as they practice and practice. Time passes. I lean against an oak tree, reluctantly close my eyes and listen. I want to identify birds by sight and call and seek the wood duck call. I hear it.

Wood Duck calls are here.

On the second day of a wood duckling's life, it leaps from its nest. That's a sight I'd like to see. Here is a one minute video of their spectacular jump.