Ducks Make Me Happy!

In the midst of despair, I have turned to ducks to counter my depression. There is Woody, of course, and yesterday he offered great solace. Today, I offer you the American wigeon, the newest entry in the Filming the Feathers series.

American wigeon, Prospect Park, November 6, 2016

I first saw a wigeon in March 2014 on the Reservoir in Central Park. Then on Sunday, after a nature walk in Prospect Park, we came upon a pair of wigeons gorging on duckweed north of the Lake. What joy to watch them. Little did we know of the coming apocalypse!

So enjoy these dabblers. We were amazed at the high-pitched whistle they squeaked when chasing off some American black ducks. The mallards could be tolerated, apparently, but not the black duckies!

This first grouping is of the ice skater in March 2014.

And these are the dabblers from November 2016:

So let's celebrate the duckies before the climate change deniers and the hunters take over the Department of the Interior and these guys become even harder to find!

The Hunter at Bethesda Fountain Returns

The young adult red-tailed hawk seen on Oct. 28 (see Hunting at Bethesda Fountain) was seen flying around Bethesda Fountain on Nov. 5. So more photos, and another video.

A young red-tailed hawk at Bethesda Fountain, Nov. 5, 2016

This young red-tailed hawk has a nice red tail, but the amber eyes of a younger hawk. The raptor was first seen going after a squirrel in a tree around 1 p.m., and then seen later around 5 flying around Bethesda Fountain and the Bandshell.

More Hawks!

I've been chasing hawks whenever I can. There are at least two first-year hawks in the park (see Bandshell Babies), and one second- or third-year hawk (see Hunting at Bethesda Fountain). On October 26 I followed a young first-year red-tailed hawk at Bethesda Fountain, and November 2 I watched the hawk (the same one, I believe) near Laupot Bridge. Of course, I made a video!

First-year red-tailed hawk near Laupot Bridge, Nov. 2, 2016

And I've also been looking for Pale Male. I saw him two evenings behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1. So, another video!

Pale Male after eating dinner behind the Met, Oct. 29, 2016

Enjoy the two videos!

These are the still shots of the young first-year hawk on Oct. 26. Following that is a gallery from Nov. 2. I am pretty sure it's the same hawk both days, but there have been two babies with those strong eyebrows hanging out in the park recently.

Pale Male on Oct. 29 and Nov. 1.