Visiting hen mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Image taken in Roseville, Placer County, California
I am always amazed by what wanders into my suburban backyard! During the springtime, it is not uncommon to find a pair of mallards in our pool. Every now and then, at the end of summer, a lone female claims our pool and surrounding bushes as her own for several days....every time, I have discovered that this duck cannot fly. My suspicion is that the duck is going through a molt, and she is waiting for her primaries to grow in. This duck, after her discovery by our cat, was around for 5 days. Despite the presence of both the cat and our Labrador Retriever, who jumps right in with her, if allowed, she knows just where to hide and when it is safe to come out of the pool and preen. Each time this has happened, we awake one morning to find that Ms. Mallard has moved on!
Visiting hen mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Image taken in Roseville, Placer County, California
I am always amazed by what wanders into my suburban backyard! During the springtime, it is not uncommon to find a pair of mallards in our pool. Every now and then, at the end of summer, a lone female claims our pool and surrounding bushes as her own for several days....every time, I have discovered that this duck cannot fly. My suspicion is that the duck is going through a molt, and she is waiting for her primaries to grow in. This duck, after her discovery by our cat, was around for 5 days. Despite the presence of both the cat and our Labrador Retriever, who jumps right in with her, if allowed, she knows just where to hide and when it is safe to come out of the pool and preen. Each time this has happened, we awake one morning to find that Ms. Mallard has moved on!