There are three reasons (at least) why things are ducky here.
First, it’s actual ducks. The huge flock of Mallards that had been coming to our yard had dwindled to a pair before we went to Texas. That pair was still around when we returned on Sunday, but yesterday, only a female arrived and then today we’ve only seen a male. Does that mean they are nesting somewhere and taking turns or are we just getting the unpaired birds now? In any case, it’s been fun to have them around because most of the wintering passerines are gone or greatly diminished in numbers in our yard. When the ducks are here they seem to make themselves at home, eating, drinking, resting, hanging out, sometimes for hours, and other times just for 15-20 minutes. The first picture shows the pair as seen from our porch.
Second, things are ducky because tonight I get to fly to Ketchikan, and tomorrow night will give a talk there on my Alaska big year. I gave a talk yesterday afternoon and another this morning in Anchorage to non-birding groups about it. I just can’t get enough of talking about bird-stuff.
Third, this morning I emailed my manuscript to Texas A&M University Press for my third book, which I’m currently calling “Big Years, Biggest States: Birding in Texas and Alaska”. I’ve really enjoyed writing it, but I’m glad it’s on to the review and revise stage and I can concentrate on figuring out which photos to use and can do some more bird painting.
Lynn Barber's Birding Blog 