I'm still trying to edit down the very choppy videography and swish pans. I may have worked in television for three decades but the only camera they let me hold was a still camera -- and not shooting movies! So, I'm working on that, but for starters, a couple of stills I was able to pull from the video.
When Harry spreads his wings, I wouldn't want to mess with them. The bird didn't seem to care. Bully.
I'm going to figure out this movie editing program if it kills me! Meanwhile, these fuzzy photos are the best I can do.
The good news is that the ducks are returning and with them, their babies. I was pretty concerned, as were other walkers, when we only saw a few pairs of ducks. Our winter was so brutal and many of them, we think, starved or moved elsewhere.
This mom was swimming with several babies. You can see their brown patches in the reeds.
I saw a beaver or muskrat on my most recent walk and a few lovely flowers.
Does anyone know what these pretty little pink and white flowers are? I thought they were lovely!
And best of all (well, almost best -- the Bird Fight was best), Doe a Deer.
And, she was not, as usual, alone.
I was even able to see one on the path outside their main turf but wasn't quick enough with the camera. The one below was shot from quite a distance on Deer Island.
So, that's all for Ditch Walk for now. But I'm resolute on editing down the Bird Fight!
Happy Weekend!
33 comments:
I love ditch walks! There's so much beauty out there. :)
It's so much fun to tag along on your adventures in nature. Those red wing black birds are trying to bully their way around my one seed cake that I put up for the woodpeckers.
Are your pink flowers a wild Sweet William? Whatever they are, I have the same thing in my nature strip. They came up with a bunch of wild flower seeds I plants 5-6 years ago and they keep returning.
Thank you so much. I enjoyed my walk with you and I did not even get tired or sweaty! HAHA...great pics.
The heron was probably too close to the red wing blackbird's nest. The males are very protective this time of year, so they'll charge anything that's too close. I've felt their claws at the back of my head. This goes on for a few weeks, so once you know there's a nest around, it helps to give a particular spot a wide berth.
Blackbird and heron, that's a strange pairing for a fight. Your took some wonderful photos of all the wildlife and plants you saw at the ditch. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
Red-winged Blackbirds are pretty feisty and will take on all comers, especially if they perceive you to be a threat to their nest. They are very agile in the air and can out maneuver larger birds. But if Harry the Heron could snag one he wouldn’t hesitate to have a blackbird snack.
Worst videographer? These are great shots!
The red wings are amazing. It looks like someone ran out of black paint when they were coloring him. ;)
That´s why I mostly ask the hubby to take the videos, I think we share that title, you and me ;-)
"Bully" - made me laugh!
Beautiful flowers (no idea what they are, though), aw, and the animals! Good thing winter is over!
Great photos Jeanie. I love the deer pictures. My daughter loves red winged black birds...she says they make her think spring.. We have them here too. Blessings to you, keep up the good work, capturing nature. xoxo, Susie
So much wilflife in these ditch walks!!
Your photos truly caught the action. I actually like these kind of photos better than videos. Wow- you saw a lot of different kinds of action that day at the ditch. What a special treat. Have a wodnerful weekend Jeanie. Hugs-Erika
Wow! A bird fight! Some excitement at the ditch. Oh Harry! Love seeing the deer. I have no idea what those pink and white flowers are.
Cool!
I enjoyed tagging along on your walk and seeing all the wildlife and pretty flowers. I haven't seen any like them in my region of Eastern Quebec, Canada.
I enjoy the ditch walks so much, Jeanie! I will be excited to see your video! Deer are graceful creatures. Happy weekend!
I have video option on my camera, but I've never chosen to use it. The learning curve might be more than I care for. However, Harry took on the bully and we got the gist of the fight, regardless.
The rest of your ditch walk was wonderful, too. The deer and the gorgeous flowers were wonderful stills. This latest ditch walk was a joy to behold, dear Jeanie.
Love the photos of your walk, specially the deer and the little ducks with their mom. Have a wonderful weekend Jeanie.
I dont know what the little flowers are, but they remind me of a type of clover? I love the deer pictures! We were out of the city last week and I spotted one in a field, looked just like yours, I kept looking for a mate or a baby, but saw only her. I made pictures but mine are much worse than yours!! haha ha ha LOL Have a great weekend!
Hello, wonderful photos from your walk. Neat series on Harry the heron. The duckling is adorable. The flowers are pretty! Have a happy day and weekend!
What a wonderful walk! The bird fight must have been awesome. That's just the kind of thing that I always miss photographing because I'm too busy watching to remember the camera! I love deer - when I lived in upstate New York out in the country (the only people crazy enough to live on 175 acres without being farmers LOL), we had a lot of kerosene lamps that we would light in the evenings (especially in the winter) and light the fireplaces. Deer would often come out of the woods and press their noses against the windows, mesmerized by the flames. They never did it with electric lamps!
Oh - I could be wrong - but I'm pretty sure your pink flowers are Phlox...the ones of the un-ruffley edge variety.
Enjoy the weather - I've been doing a lot of work, so haven't been spending a lot of time outdoors - but when I do get out there, it's truly summer! (well, summerish! LOL)
WOW Jeanie, you captured so much life here! I know, I can't video anything; I have to practice quite a bit to capture movement. The images you did seize are wondrous.
I enjoyed the post. We have a pond here with reeds in our Aussie town, but it’s relatively young, a few years only, and man made. Some ducks but not many as people let their dogs get in it. A pair of birds like Ibis or crane, I don’t know. Some of the birds hang out in the fenced Municipal swimming pool in the off season before it’s drained and cleaned.
Last week, I watched a swallow drive off a green heron. That was a battle I never expected to see, but there was no question what was happening. The swallows will build nests under the floating docks at the marina, and the heron (who hangs out on dock lines) clearly spotted one.
As for your pretty pink and white flower, I don't have a clue what it is -- yet. But I found it all over Kansas and Missouri, and I'm trying to ID it so I can use it in a post. By the leaves, I'd say it's in the pea family. As soon as I figure it out, I'll let you know: although someone else may ID it before that. I'm looked at the sweet William that Jean suggested, but that name showed up attached to a very different flower -- a phlox -- in my Kansas wildflower book. That's the problem with common names; several flowers may have the same one.
Glad you were able to enjoy a nice walk by the ditch, and that you saw so much wildlife. Great about some ducks coming back.
It's crown vetch (Securigera varia, which is a member of the pea family and which looks somewhat like our deer pea vetch. It's not native, but was introduced from the Mediterranean, etc. It was once used as a cover crop, but it escaped cultivation, and now shows up in most states. It surely is pretty, though!
I would so much rather see ducks than geese in our area, but I really think the geese bullied the ducks away for the most part. It's an adventure when you walk through the ditch - watch out for snakes!
I always called that deer vetch. I better look at your comments...I'm sure you've IDed it already. LOVE the sweet babies in the water....what a bunch and a great photo! Enjoy your weekend!
My goodness!! All of that beautiful wildlife and flowers - what a treat! Little animal babies are the CUTEST! We've not seen as many ducklings and goslings this year either and I wonder if it's because of the harsh winter too. Tonight while coming home from dinner, cars were slamming on their brakes and when we got closer . . . baby SKUNKS! The mama and babies were right in the middle of a busy street! I was horrified . . . one little baby got caught in the road but at last glance, it looks like he/she survived. Phew -- what excitement!
Love your “Ditch Talks, Visits, Pics”.
I wonder . . . is the flower Cleome . . .
I was going to say vetch, but the flowers look a little different from the vetch I am familiar with. So, I must be thinking of pea vetch..
Jeanie, why does something so beautiful have to be so mean! I'm talking about that black bird but probably is just defending its nest. Harry is something and I still think you have the most beautiful walking trail that I know of!..Happy Sunday..xxoJudy
I was on the phone this evening outside and a deer came within 50 ft. of me. I love them. The best part of living in the country is the animals.
That deer is so beautiful! As are all the other ditch photos. I hope you figure out how to edit the video. I am terrible at things like that!!
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