Watery Wednesday is hosted by 2sweetnsaxy. Jump in your canoo and go for a splash around in the watery parts of our planet by clicking on the above icon.
I have a new little friend that my heart go out to, since my friend the Dipper living by the Espoo manor rapids over the winter has departed up north to Lappland.
The rapids where I also saw a swimming Otter some time ago trying to snatch the Dipper.
A male Teal caught my attention a few weeks back as he was swimming around in my local brook with a pair of Mallards. He seemed to be following the much larger female Mallard around very tightly and oddly enough the male of the pair didn't seem to mind.
This was the first sighting about three weeks ago
From the first sighting, I thought the Teal would dissapear as soon as the sea would melt down. I felt strongly that he should be with his own kind. Also I've never before seen a Teal this far up on land.
Two weeks later I saw the same threesome again. They were walking around in a muddy ditch right next to the walkway with dogs, bicycles, walkers and joggers passing by. The same scenario was still going on with the Teal hanging on to the female Mallard and the male Mallard not minding.
Close up on the confused Teal and the object of his heart's desireToday, yet one week later, I saw the Teal again in the brook but this time he was on his own. My guess would be that getting close to the nesting season the male Mallard finally chased his clingy rival on his way. A Teal would be no match for a much larger Mallard. This made me feel so very sad for the Teal. Sociable birds should not be on their own. Still there's not much to do but to hope that the Teal will take to his wings and fly away to find his own kind sometimes soon. At least he has some water and plenty of vegetation to feed on in the meantime and also he is physically okay as he took to his wings when I came closer.
My lonely little friend.
15 comments:
A charming photostory - poor Teal.
Stakkars lille fugl! Den må da føle seg ensom, skjønner godt du føler for den! Det er som du sier; de er sosiale vesener og skal være en del av en stor flokk! Håper den finner sin art snart! Det nærbildet av den og den andre anden er utrolig fint - nydelige fjær!
Og den fossen din er flott! Når jeg ser slike bilder kan jeg nesten høre bulderet!
What an interesting story. You're very observant to notice and follow the little Teal's saga. I hope all ends well. The markings on these birds are amazing...so clear and striking. Enjoy the day and thanks for visiting my WW post. Our geese have lots of company of all kind in the lake where they hang out.
Those are some nice shots of his very pretty head.
Maybe the Teal is the Mallards' adopted son. Hope it will find a successful (and correct) partners soon.
Jag hoppas han finner sin vän... /MB Maria Berg
Beutiful photos! bright and clear.
Have a great week.
Mary Elizabeth @ Now and Then “The Blog”
It is wonderful the observation you made with the "ducks". The photos are splendid, show the smallest details.
I hope the little Teal is happy and will find a mate.
The Teal may have lost his Mallard friends, but I'm sure he'll find himself a beautiful mate soon. Excellent photos and duck watch.
I feel sorry for the Teal, but I like the way you tell his story. Hopefully there will soon be a happy ending.
Du har lyckats fa ett fint foto av forsen, och har sakert roligt med att folja upp de olika faglarna.
What a cute little friend! I totally love the first picture.
great photos.
Lovely story & watery photo series this week as always ;--)
Hugs and blessings,
I love the rapids in the first shot! All that water just boiling over the rocks, in such a rush to get to the sea!!
And I had not realized that ducks came in different sizes. Maybe I had just never thought about it. I do hope the teal finds a good mate soon, though!
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