The mother mallard  has made it this far with her only surviving son. This morning, she felt comfortable enough to introduce him to me (with wheat bread acting as a go-between).

The fact that the hen was amenable to my presence is a good sign that I'll be getting closer looks as the spring continues. Mallard hens tend to return to the same site year after year. Here's hoping its the beginning of many future encounters.

In case you're wondering how I know the duckling ia male: In the right light, you can make out the green/emerald head feathers coming in

The squirrels continue to make themselves at home. . .

Scenes of wildlife and birds in the suburbs or backyard

The high keening of a bird demanding to be fed was heard from right above me near the marsh. I fired off a few shots, and was lucky enough to get an in-flight look at the bird. Unfortunately, I suspect the bird is a brown-headed cowbird. The smaller bird above the cowbird is an eastern phoebe, and the size distance is huge.

For the past dozen or so years, common grackles have been nesting among the woody bushes and plants that grow in the center of the marsh. There seem to be fewer pairs this year. It makes me wonder if the record rainfall during last year's nesting season wiped out a number of nests.

Eastern Gray Squirrel in winter looking happy

The very friendly chipmunk colony are becoming more and more comfortable when I'm nearby. (Hope the cats don't find out-- they'd be mortified!) They serve as the neighborhood "watch" for the community of critters out here. Everyone is familiar with the garbled, high pitch alarm call, followed by their incessant "chip, chip, chip" call.