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Gone fishing |
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Due to all the Midwest flooding, I was drawn to the Fox River to see what kind of damage the water had done, but instead, what I encountered was an abundance of life. |
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Great Blue Heron |
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He caught a fish! |
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Herons have an ability to stand in one place and stare at a spot for longer than I have patience to clock, but instead of walking five feet to be at a better location, this heron took flight ever so briefly and then began fishing again. |
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I'm not complaining. It was a good photo op. |
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Then he landed, as graceful as his take-off. |
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Only a bit of ruffled feathers to deal with. |
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These parents and their kid were just as interested in the heron as I was, but I'm wondering where the kid got his red hair. |
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Easily, the highlight of the day was meeting a dad, a boy, and their duck taking a stroll through the park. |
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The dad said they got two chicks a while ago and one of the ducks fell prey to local wildlife, but this duck survived and was now part of the family. |
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I swear there was a resemblance. |
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We learned this is an Indian runner duck, which isn't uncommon, but I'd never seen one before. |
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They are like a normal duck, but with shorter thighs so that they have to walk upright, like a penguin. |
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This duck seemed like a perfect pet, wandering around without a leash and never leaving the side of his humans. |
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A perfect little family. |
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Speaking of perfect little families, here are some immature mallards, still looking a little mottled as their adult feathers are growing in. |
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While the flooded river threatened human property, it seemed as if every other species was taking full advantage of the increase in water area. |
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