SAME TIME NEXT YEAR?

Last summer, a pair of Mallards would come on the calm days and dabble around at the foot of the breakwall, and then doze on the rocks. One day they decided to go "over the wall" and see what all the commotion was about. They discovered a lively community centered around the bird feeder, which, despite my seed-catcher arrangement, always had seeds at the base of the red maple. When I went out to refill the tube feeder, I started spilling a little mound of seed at the base of the trunk, just for them, and they got in the habit of stopping by twice a day, morning and evening. Their routine never varied: the hen always ate first, for as long as she wanted, while the drake kept a keen watch - the yards here aren't fenced, and I have neighbors who let their Labs run free. They race into my yard anytime they see any birds or other critters around. I've missed a couple of bird IDs because of it!!

This year, I have two Mallards again. I like to think it's the same pair, but of course it's hard to tell. But here they are a couple of days ago. It's a little fuzzy because I took it through the window rather than scare them away.

The other photo is of some grackles, in my favorite posture of theirs. I call it "falling for the old looking-up-in-the-air trick." Has anyone else noticed how they always seem to have their eyes on the skies, no matter what else they're doing?

P.S. Today is the designated "Get Tax Papers Together Day" around here, so I might not get to visit all your blogs; hope to make it tomorrow for OSI!