Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Redhead on Corona Reef

For the past week or so this Redhead duck (at least that is what I believe it to be) has been hanging out on Corona Reef. The duck favors being close to the blue buoy that floats near the end of the Corona Reef. Apparently there is a tasty food source in the area. What ever the food is; small fish, crustaceans on the buoy rope, or some type of salad, the duck is always nearby (at least during daylight).

After Thanksgiving festivities today, I took some photos. The duck doesn’t like me so it was difficult to get very close.

Hanging by the blue buoy:



Swallowing a food item:



Zoomed-in photo:

Pretty! They are getting increasingly rarer. You can only shoot one a day in waterfowl season. Great photos...

Maybe that's the only one left in Minnesota! Don't shoot it Dwight!

I don't shoot Ducks though I have shot a tequila on occasion.

I've been known to shoot myself in the foot a few times (not literally of course.).

CJ I don't know if you meant for that to be as funny as it is "Those things are getting more and more rare....you can only shoot one PER DAY" hahaha I wonder why!

???

...as in maybe they wouldnt be so rare if people didn't shoot so many?

Oh... Actually it is habitat loss. Their nesting areas in Canada are being destroyed and their wintering areas in the coastal areas of the US are being destroyed. You used to be able to shoot 3 a day during the waterfowl season. Now the season is shorter and you can only shoot one a day. With the money raised by hunters via Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl, work is being done to protect their needs.

Since this Redhead is the only duck I have seen around here for a few weeks I was concerned that it may have some injury that wouldn't allow it to fly south. This afternoon I was out on the pond taking weekly D.O. etc. readings. Once I got close enough it flew off, circled around and landed back on the pond.

The Redhead either:

Just likes it here and will leave eventually.
Is a blond in Redhead disguise. (sorry! )
Is mind altered from eating semi-decayed green stuff.

When you get your first solid ice cover Dwight, he'll leave you and head my way... Something in your pond he likes though, they are diving ducks and feed on SAV, crustaceans and molluscs.

#3 sounds like something JHAP would say.

#4 He thinks the blue bouy is his girlfriend & he's just waiting for spring.

I should argue over this point, but actually it does sound like something I would say.

Gosh, I didn't know I was that far gone.

JWHAP offer's her condolences.

Thank you JWHAP. How do you cope?

I have read libraries of self help books, I record and watch every episode of Dr Phil, I have sought professional counseling. I resorted to drinking a few years ago -- and should have bought stock in Captain Morgan by the way.




Finally I gave up trying to change or control him. I am much happier now, though the Captain and I are still close friends.

Redhead, "My pond is shrinking, what should I do?".

I don't know about this duck! This morning the pond is completely ice covered. It is sitting in the only open water which is probably the result of body heat and paddling. Photos are tough at this distance on an overcast day. If you look closely you can see the tiny little "pond" the duck sits in.

fire up the Kasco

10-4, later today.