[mou] Sunny but windy

[john nelson]

Yesterday early run to Mapleton from Beauford:
Small ponds just east of Beauford and north CR10 the west pond pretty  
much iced, which concentrated a group of 12 Ring-necks, 4 Blue-wing  
teal, a pair of Shovelers, and in the middle a Canada-very cute
The larger pond on the eastside about 75% iced but looking directly  
into the low sun coudn't really identify any of the numerous ducks  
definitively
Just down CR10 from there a small pond alonside the road that gives  
about as close as possible without a blind ducks there seem to be used  
to traffic there are two sets of Wood-duck houses posted there and a  
male on sitting on each gorgeous in the morning sun
My favorite pond north of Perch Lake held a large number of Ring-Necks  
a few Blue-Wing Teal, 2 pair of Buffleheads, some Mallards, a pair of  
Pintails, 3 pair of Wood-Ducks, and 12 Red-Heads and with bright sun  
their heads stood out beautifully. The Pintails flew in and lit, while  
I watched, spectacular.
Percch Lake was windswept  and large numbers of ducks were congregated  
on the lee side ,which was a long way away, but on the roadside not  
far out there were two groups of divers. One was difficult because  
they were bouncing all over in the waves, but sense was that they were  
One of  the Scaup as they were much more white on their sides than  
Ring-Necks. The other were easily identifiable as Canvas-Backs.
On a hill off the south shore is a beautiful Surrounded by large  
Cottonwood and Oak trees, my wife and I counted 10 Wood-Ducks sitting  
in the trees, and two more lit when we drove away.
I stopped using Ring-Bill when I realized they could be gulls as well  
as ducks.
Couldn't help wondering what it was like around here before WE came.  
More ponds, marshes,small lakes, and the noise around same must have  
been deafening in the spring.
John Nelson
Near Beauford