Dusky Duck


9:00 pm • The sun is setting over the lake too. The dragon and damsel flies are zipping around after mosquitos and the frogs are feasting on water bugs. This male Mallard, aka Greenhead, watches from his spot on the lake shore.

Mallards are very independent birds. The female’s hatch the eggs without the help of the male and then she raises them quick, taking them to the water to swim on their first day out of the egg. The ducklings forage for their own food as they learn the ways of Mallard life alongside their mum and after just a couple months they are ready to fly. This Mallard isn’t thinking about all that right now though, he is just taking in the dusky evening and keeping an eye on the dragonflies.

Featured flora and fauna • Spotted Touch-me-not, Eastern Tailed Pondhawk, Mallard Duck, Marsh Marigold, Northern Leopard Frog, Cattails