Things are starting to happen around here again as Spring is in full swing. The temperature is rising and the days are longer. Birds are migrating, mating, nesting and starting to watch over the first broods.
Some ducks seem foot loose and fancy free although I suspect that the males are just hanging around the marsh while the females sit on the nests. For whatever reason, I spotted two male canvasback ducks in the water this afternoon. They were swimming around lazily.
They dive under the water, which isn’t deep, and dig like crazy on the marsh floor for food creating huge bubble swirls. When they come up, they look just like they have been digging in the mud with their bills. They have the most incredible red eyes.
So one of them decided to have a bath. It always amazes me to see a creature that lives in water taking a bath. You’d think they wouldn’t get dirty. But this one was, so washing was necessary.
And then a quick flutter of the wings to dry off.
And then a satisfied pause, probably to show off to the other residents of the marsh. And he does look handsome.
On the way home I spotted two geese families. One has goslings that are growing up quickly. The other has a pile of fluffy, tiny chicks, small enough to look like yellow grass on the ground. I’ll bring them to you next time.
Categories: ducks, environment, Photography, waterfowl
Lardeau Valley Time 
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