I love to walk over to the neighborhood pond on the days we don't hike. (with the time change it's easier to go before sunset)
I couldn't wait to see what ducks might be there and sure enough there was something unusual.
If only I had a memory, it would help SO much! Thanks Pamela for helping me with this ID!
I tried to say this using 2 syllables like a true Southern is 'want to do' but it was driving my husband crazy so I looked up the pronunciation. It is ONE syllable and rhymes with stop or drop! (this was written when I thought it was a Scaup!)
Anyway it was fun to see a nice flock of them in the pond.
A Great White Egret was standing next to this Canada Goose
but when it flew it looked dark!
Bird ID can get tricky!
The Blue Irises were beautiful
and there was another duck in the tall grasses.
The pond is gorgeous and lots of birds and critters use it!
But when I turned to leave, a coyote ran past! I expect to see wild critters in the woods but this was a surprise! It gave me a scare and I practically RAN all the way home! But when I did a search and read more about coyotes, they are not a threat to humans. The Humane Society says, "Coyote attacks on people are very rare. More people are killed by errant golf balls and flying champagne corks each year than are bitten by coyotes." The website is HERE. Oh and since we live on a golf course and I know we have a bottle of champagne in the fridge, we have even more things to worry about! hahahahaha!
So that was the exciting trip to the neighborhood pond! And it doesn't even count as a hike!
What's new in your corner of the world?
44 comments:
we live in the city limits, you have seen where I walk each day and we have coyotes in our paved streets. i feel so bad for them, hated by people and no where to go. I have not heard of the duck that rhymes with stop, either the southern or other way.. don't remember seeing one either. you have a beautiful neighborhood
Beautiful photos Diane! We used to have packs of Coyotes running the streets in my old neighborhood. We keep developing more and more here in Florida and taking away the wild animal's homes. It's sad.
Hello,
Your sky photos are gorgeous. Great sighting of the Scaup, they are pretty ducks. It has been awhile since I have seen a Coyote, we have more fox around here. Great collection of photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.
We see many coyotes here in the desert borderland, but I am surprised you saw one in the day like that, in your area!
Wonderful photos of nature's gems and how delightful it is close to home ~ Beautiful ~ Happy Weekend to you ~ Xo
Living moment to moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
What a pretty pond! We use to have a coyote living in the field behind our house in Arden.
...your sky shots are gorgeous.
i see scaups here, all year round. they are so pretty and here, they lay on the ground sometimes and are easy to photograph. what a nice capture of the egret in flight but the last image really stole the show!!
next time i see a fox, which so far has been never, i will not be afraid!!
i got nothing new!!
i said fox, meant to write coyote. oh man, i'm getting old!!
The silhouette shots are stunning!
I would not want to be out walking and spy a coyote either. That last photo is breathtaking. Your neighborhood looks like a lovely place for walking :) Happy weekend, sweet friend.
Very beautiful photos! The sky is wonderful.
Great pictures. I'm with you on the running from coyotes. Chances are no matter what the statistics say, it only takes one bite.
Hi Diane. Well we say "scawp", but each to his own. I would not have run away from a coyote as I've never seen one and it's just a large dog 🐕. I hope. Enjoy your weekend ☺️.
Beautiful photos as always. The sky shots are stunning and the coyote seems curious. I would have never guessed you would have coyotes in your neck of the woods. Have a great week!
Fun photos and a great catch of that coyote! Wow! Always an adventure with you!! :)
We have coyotes wandering in the many ravines that run through our city but the warning signs always mentio to protect your small dog rather than yourself. I think I would still be a bit cautious if I saw one. Love the Scaup
"scamps"...I just want to call those ducks "scamps" ha ha LOL! Love all the great pictures and those purple flowers are so pretty!! Wow, that coyote RIGHT THERE!!--DANG yes that would be scary even tho I also read that they aren't interested in "attacking or eating us", ha ha LOl. Maybe they remind us of wolves or something? Hope your weekend is going great, our weather is sunny and beautiful here, yay!! Oh, and Yes===I love your picture up on your header----that is so gorgeous Diane! Hugs! PS--take your dollies out to play! I am!
Oh my what delightful photos--love the ducks--and those sunset photos are really beautiful--and thanks for the info on coyotes--I do think though they like to hunt baby ducks, and maybe cats!!!
luv, di
Nice to take a walk around the neighborhood with you.
The first time I saw a coyote I did the same as you. :)
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photographs, those sky shots are stunning.
How amazing to see a coyote, I think I would have run too!
Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.
All the best Jan
So many wonderful pictures. The green header photo is a treat for my eyes. My desert canyon eyes.
Great photos! Love all the birds, and as a bonus, a coyote!
Wow, such beautiful photos, and those are right there in your neighborhood? Amazing!! Love the ducks. However, you might want to do a little comparison between the Scaup and the Ring Necked Duck. They are very similar, but if you look at the bands on the bill you might see that what you have is actually a Ring necked duck. We had these in our pond last year and I loved them so much, but only one little female came back alone this year for some reason. I love to watch them dive down and pop back up. Oh, that coyote is amazing...I still would not want to run into one alone on a road by myself...even if they aren't as much a threat to humans as a golf ball or a flying cork! LOL. But it is comforting to know that they'd probably run away at the first sight of me...LOL. Thank you for these lovely photos. Such beauties to behold!!! God is so good!!
Beautifully captured in pictures and words.
The scaup bills are so interesting. I saw one recently here, too. Beautiful sky shots and I think I would run home after seeing a coyote up close, too! You live in a beautiful area.
Oh I would have run, too, seeing a coyote. Glad to learn that they are not as dangerous as I had thought. I know nothing of the lovely ducks...their names, but I am glad that this has all turned out to be a seasonal story...very interesting.
Great pond. I have a pond at my place and we get all kinds of duck visitors. very exciting. Love that last shout. BTW: I never did get an ID on the bird at my feeder. Oh well. Have a good Sunday
MB
A delightful post! Watch out for golf balls!
Exciting view of the coyote!
Apart from that, your walk has been interesting and various.
Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful series of photos.
Very special that the coyote comes so close to the houses.
The sunset photos are really beautiful.
Greetings Irma
Awesome waterfowl on your neighborhood pond!! Beautiful sky images...and, a coyote. I once had one follow me home when we lived in the desert in AZ.
Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your link with us birders at IRBB this weekend!
~Anni, host of I'd Rather B Birdin'
Be sure to ket me know when you uncork the Champagne so I can drop by! I'll be sure to avoid flying missiles!
The pond is so pretty at sunset. You saw many different birds. I love that last photo of the bird flying with the orange sky. Wow, a coyote near the pond, that's something you don't see every day. Yesterday, I saw 7 deer on the side of the road in the woods! I didn't have my camera, so I just stood still and gazed for awhile. It made my day. : ) Have a peaceful Sunday, Diane.
~Sheri
Glad I could help out. Now I wish you could send those ducks over here to my Still Waters Pond. I really missed seeing them this year! I guess they must rotate around to different places each year. Maybe next year it will be our turn again!! Have a wonderful Easter week!
What awesome pictures! We have a City park in our City and I, along with many others call it the Duck Pond. So many ducks there to see. On the days that I work outside the home that is where I mostly spend my lunch time. Never grows old to see the beauty that God created. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Tienes mucha suerte con todo lo que ves en tus lindos paseos, me ha encantado. Besos.
We have coyotes here all the time. They avoid us. Too many hunters around here not to!
You have a beautiful place where you can go for a walk and watch beautiful critters enjoying the pond. Coyote looks like a dog and I wonder whether it can be kept as a pet. Beautiful sunset shots. Oh, better watch out for flying golf balls or champagne corks. Take care and stay safe.
I did not know you found coyotes in Florida. Somehow I thought they were only to be found in California. Thank you for sharing these :)
Sounds like a beautiful walk up to and around the pond. Lovely capture on the sunset, ducks and the coyote, which have a look to scare human but glad to hear they rarely hit human. Have a nice week ahead
Hi Diane,
I think your evening sun is really beautiful to see.
That is really fun and unfortunately it always lasts only a short time.
Lots of ducks and a goose but I also see a fox !!!!
As long as it doesn't wreak havoc!
A hug,
Helma
such a wonderful sky! Especially the first shot!
Nice to see the Ring-necked Duck. There was one a couple of years ago, at the coast 2h drive from me. But sadly it was gone when I arrived at the location. Lots of people but no duck.
I´d say this pond seem to be a pearl!
Coyotes may not attack people but their howels at night after they have killed their prey is blood-curdling. We can hear them here sometimes at night and it gives me a fright.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
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