Saturday, May 20, 2017

What's New at the Ditch

It's hard to believe we are on the threshold of June and with that comes summer. I thought we'd check out the ditch on the waning days of spring.


Everything has filled in -- leaves, lily pads, grasses. The deer, rarely seen during the middle of the day, blend with their environment.


I was lucky to catch two of them at feeding time, though the second is far more elusive and not inclined to be photogenic!


They were happily munching on the leaves from the trees on their safe island in the middle of the large pond.


And they were aware, but blissfully unafraid of being disturbed.


Harry was out, too. It took some time to spot him among the lily pads.

 

On another pass as we made our circles around the pond, we saw him from a different view near the shore. 

 

Of course he wasn't alone. The red-winged blackbird was standing watch, handsome in his bright feathers.

 

And then there was Mama Duck and her eight little ones.

 

Those babies were just above a mini-rapids, swimming as fast as they could to not be swept down the rocks and into the South pond.


And they were getting some good duckrobatics in, too.
  

It was like synchronized swimming with feathers, though some had it down better than others.


These little guys are beginning to get big but they still are a little bit downy and awfully cute.

 

Mom was pretty watchful but she missed one of her kidlets who disappeared down the rocks. When she noticed she was all over it, marshaling the troops to catch up!


I wonder if I'll recognize them next time?


Of course there was some trillium...


...and one of my favorites, alium. 


All in all, a glorious day. I leave you with a farewell to Harry. 


The sun was out and he was fishing! 


I hope he had a good catch!

 

Happy trails!

Sharing this week with Monday Social

37 comments:

Connie said...

What a lovely post . . . I want to go walking with you. You live in such a pretty area.
Happy weekend!
Connie :)

My name is Erika. said...

More fabulous photos Jeanie. Your lens does a super job of getting up close. I am looking for a bigger zoom than I have now. A little gift to myself for going through this recovering. Plus it gives me something to do while I "rest". Your photos are really inspiring. Hugs-Erika

Red Rose Alley said...

Well, I'd say a lot is new at the Ditch. Seeing a deer is the most incredible sight. Jeanie, I think the deer is a very special animal, and when I see one, I stop and gaze in wonder. The ducks are sweet, and the red-winged blackbird is a beautiful fellow. I appreciate all the nature pictures that you always share with us. Your pictures tell a wonderful story. : )

~Sheri

Valerie-Jael said...

Love the photos you have shared today, wonderful to see the animal in their natural habitat, and all looking healthy and contented. I am always happy that so many little oases are there for the wildlife, and hope that they will ever be built over. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

Lynne said...

Ditch Walk presents the best little treasures . .
Downy Ducklings are such a pretty lot . . .

Deb said...

You are so fortunate to have the area and the familiar critters to visit. What beautiful photos, Jeanie. Would love to come along anytime. ☺

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

The Ditch - what a great place to take a wlak and see all the birds, deer and little ducks. If I had something like that I would be walking also.

Enjoy your weekend and hope your feeling terrific.

Hugs,
Mary

Pam said...

Love your nature shots. I love seeing deer out in the wild. They are pains when it comes to gardens and stuff but yet so beautiful.

krishna said...

The best picture is all the duckies with face down inside water.. that so cute...

thanks for visiting my blog..

Joanne Huffman said...

Great photos. It's surprising that spring is almost over.

BeachGypsy said...

loved seeing the peaceful and sweet deer! and those adorable little baby ducks----so cute! Bet they were fun to watch! I love those purple flowers, allium you said? I've never had any of those, are they wild or not? Hope you are having a real nice weekend! We are getting out tomorrow, but oh my---it IS HOT HERE!!

Mae Travels said...

Beautiful photos! I saw the same wildlife yesterday at a historic canal by the Potomac River in Maryland -- deer, herons, red-wings, and all. There's something very pleasant about the way we coexist with these creatures and have done so ever since we humans entered their environment.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I always enjoy your walks to the ditch, Jeanie. Today I especially love the picture that shows handsome Harry from the back. Aliums are among my favorite flowers. They are so pretty.
xo Julia

Victoria Zigler said...

I bet you could just hang out by the ditch all day, just watching the wildlife, and enjoying the flowers...

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Harry darlin', I think you have cousins here in Minnesota! OOOOOOH the ducklings, bring on the cute! I saw a young brood following their mum on Friday at a pond near my school. What a joy it is to finish up school in the next two weeks with nature flanking my drive. THIS IS FUN and it gets better as I get older. LOVE to ya, Jeanie!

The French Hutch said...

I love your walks this time of year, everything is full blown spring, I love the ducklings and their fun diving snaps. Happy to see Harry is thriving. I love catching glimpses of deer with their wide eyed look. Lovely post Jeanie.........

Preppy Empty Nester said...

OMG Jeanie! These photos are stunning! Love the ones of the beautiful deer, especially. Have a wonderful week!

shoreacres said...

Now we're moving into the season where the flora and fauna we share are more apparent: aliums, red-winged blackbirds, deer, ducklings. Except I haven't yet seen any baby ducks this year. Either they're all being snatched by baby duck snatchers, or they just haven't hatched. It's a mystery. On the other hand, the big boy and girl ducks still are getting it on, so maybe they've been having to much fun to settle down and raise families!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

It's simply wonderful that you feel well enough to be out and about, enjoying the Ditch again. I adore the deer and the ducks, too. Harry looks smart as ever, and he seems quite content. I wonder if he really ever leaves the Ditch.

Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos with us. I love them all.

Kitty said...

I love your pictures. You make me realize what I am missing by not getting out and going to the park. Last year I saw a beautiful little mandrake duck. A gal who was there taking pictures told me that the geese protect it. Isn't it amazing that animals protect each other and we humans sometimes just don't have a clue!?!

I, too, am so glad you are up and out. Love to you all.

Maggie said...

Dear Jeanie, I so enjoyed our walk along the Ditch today.
Seeing it through your lens is absolutely amazing, the photographs are stunning and your narrative totally brings everything to life.
Maggie.

Doodle T said...

Sitting at work and a quick browse of your walk this morning was delightful...I could almost feel the sun on my skin and smell all the greenery...lovely. Thank you. Now on to tackle the day. :)

Barbara said...

Hello Jeanie, I was lucky enough to see a stag when I was out walking the other day. He behaved much like these two and more or less ignored me even though I was in the same field as him. I was so cross with myself for going out without a camera or even a phone. It rather served me right because my husband is always reminding me to pick up my phone, and I seldom do.
Harry is quite regal in his bearing and I love the duckrobatics!
Happy trails and thanks for sharing all these wonderful photographs, your post made my day.

Sandra Cox said...

What a wondrous outing! I so enjoyed these photos.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, what delightful photos of the happenings at the ditch! Harry is quite a photogenic guy!

Jennifer Richardson said...

Harry has gotten all the more handsome, hasn't he.
I loved every drop of this visit to the ditch with you -
each and every drop:)
Thank you for taking us downstream into the beauty of this place.
You have magnificent eyes:)
-jennifer

Tracy said...

Soooo MUCH beauty and wonderment... I'm so happy for you that you have all of this so close to where you are, Jeanie! What JOY to see!! :))) ((HUGS))

Little Wandering Wren said...

Hey, happy Summer ahead! Love to see all the growth at the ditch, those ducklings are adorable, especially the bottoms up pic!
Happy Days
Wren x

Bonnie said...

What gorgeous photography. Our state has a nature photography magazine that sponsors photography contests. You should check your state. You are very blessed to have such great subjects to catch in their life cycle.

I love your alliums. I would love to grow them but the squirrels ate my bulbs the only time I tried and they are expensive!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

You must have a wonderful camera! These are terrific wildlife photos. I love little jaunts like this and it's like being there with you. (Glad you like my tulip quilt! It has been one of my favorites too. )

Jenny Woolf said...

Isn't nature wonderful? I loved these pictures of your local wildlife. And how tame ! You're lucky to have this place so near. I'm wondering how many acres it covers?

thepaintedapron.com said...

Beautiful photos Jeanie, all that wonderful wildlife!!
Jenna

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Beautiful captures of nature and the very essence of what it all means!
I always enjoy the woodland creatures too, Jeanie.
Jemma

Sandra Cox said...

That deer sure blends doesn't she?

Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells said...

How did Molly and the little guy go with his first day in childcare and her first back at work?

Thanks you for the visit to the beautiful arts and craft homes. I love this period of architecture and design - we live in a house from this period in Australia so I am intrigued to see arts and craft homes from this period in other countries. Best wishes for a lovely week. Elizabeth

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love all the wildlife you get to observe at the ditch! We just don't see that in the city here. We will occasionally see ducks by the creek or lake but it's not common to see. The picture of the deer are my favorites, I think!

Marilyn Miller said...

Wonderful pictures from the ditch. Oh Harry is just gorgeous!

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