Yes, we still have wood ducks…

Ebird, the website and phone app I use to log the birds I see, has recently changed the status of wood ducks to “infrequent”, but that must be for Milwaukee County or all of Wisconsin, ’cause they’re still plentiful in Estabrook Park, and I was greeted at the pond this morning by this trio. The one laying down in the middle is clearly a drake still in his breeding plumage, if slightly bedraggled, and the other two are also drakes but in full eclipse.

There was also a great blue heron hunting for breakfast just a bit down the shore of the pond from the three amigos above.

Meanwhile, there may have been further tragedy since I showed you the two ducklings on Friday because there was just a lone hen but no ducklings today. ☹

Anyway, on my hike over to the river, I found a pair of eastern kingbirds perched at the edge of the bluff, and one was willing to let me get a picture.

Finally, not all hope is lost because this wood duck hen has seven healthy-looking ducklings on the river, so let’s wish her luck.