Amos Pond report

[Shortsighted]

About a 20-minute walk north of me is Amos pond, actually two ponds and a swampy spot on the other side of the Scarborough-Durham town line and I briefly explored the dwindling path between the north and south pond. Almost immediately upon entering I was greeted by a flock of energetic GC kinglets. The site is mostly frequented by geese but I also discovered a few Ring-necked ducks. I could see three males and two females. I waited for a spell planted behind a tree for concealment to see if they might meander a little closer but they seemed quite content where they were doing very little. No sign of early warblers, thrush, wrens or the Rusty Blackbirds I saw last year. Also, no sign of Hooded Merganser that were there a couple of weeks ago. A couple of Turkey vultures were gliding above me. On my way back out I noted two small Nightshade plants, or at least what I believe to be some sort of Nightshade. Anyone up for a little Belladonna (atropine)?
On the swamp side there was a single male Bufflehead, two Trumpeter swans and a Kingfisher.

Ring-necked ducks


Glory-of-the-Snow


Sprouting moss (when it turns red)

[Kris Ito]

Love the Ring-necks. They always make me think of ducks in formal wear - so dapper. I believe your flowers are escaped spring bulbs in the Scilla family, likely "Glory-of-the-snow". Too early I think for nightshade, which also has a smaller flower. Do you ever wander a little further up the road to Mary's pie stand? I know they're not selling pies during the current state of the world, but they are probably still filling up the front yard feeders.

[Shortsighted]

You are quite correct regarding the small blooms. I remembered that the last time
that I saw and photographed Bittersweet Nightshade it was in August and that bothered
me and so I looked into it and Glory-of-the-Snow seems a good fit. Thanks for the tip.
I've seen the bird activity on those feeders at the Pie place. It certainly beats the activity
occasionally occurring in my backyard. I know what you mean about the visual appeal of
seeing Ring-necked male ducks. It's not only the dapper sartorial livery but the erect heads-
up posture that seems so proud. If I had hip waders I may have been able to get closer,
tree by tree, but I only wore rubber boots and I've managed to exceed the brim of those
boots often enough. If I could afford it I would get hip waders ... they're expensive. I saw
someone with waders that extended all the way up to arm pits. The only thing better would
be a dry suit but let's not get ridiculous.

[Shortsighted]

Re-visit Amos pond area to discover that the Ring-necked ducks have left the north pond.
Waterfowl now present include Canada Geese, Mallards, Bufflehead, Blue-winged Teal,
and Green-winged Teal. In the woods: Eastern Phoebe, Brown Creeper, Myrtle warblers
(both mature breeding and juvenile).