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Disney would have done it better

Discussion in 'Birds' started by HarryB, Aug 24, 2005.

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  1. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida
    Hi you'll,

    It ain't easy being a Black-bellied Whistling Duck and trying to raise a family in real life. Last year we had a pair of BBWD's with 12 ducklings. By the end of the season there was one parent duck and one duckling surviving. Illness,gators, herons, egrets, & ospreys take a harsh and rapid toll on them.

    This year we had two parents with 24 ducklings 3 weeks ago. As of this week the parents and only 9 ducklings survive.

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    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 24, 2005
    HarryB, Aug 24, 2005
    #1
  2. mike mac

    mike mac

    12,409
    Jan 25, 2005
    East Norriton, PA
    Incredible images Harry

    These are fantastic for sure great job I love every one.. Kudos to you keep us posted on how the clan survives the next couple of weeks
     
    mike mac, Aug 24, 2005
    #2
  3. Gordon Large

    Gordon Large Guest

    Harry -

    These are wonderful images. I've never seen these ducks, so if the timing is right on my next trip to Florida I hope you will be my tour guide.

    Gordon
     
    Gordon Large, Aug 24, 2005
    #3
  4. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    Mother Nature can certainly be a harsh mistress. Here's hoping that all of this little family makes it. :Wink:

    Nice shots. :smile:
     
    Flew, Aug 24, 2005
    #4
  5. sommer

    sommer

    1,265
    Jul 14, 2005
    Smack dab between the Wolverines and the Spartans
    Those are beautiful ducks...I've never seen any so colorful before! The little ones look like bumblebees! Hope they make it. If Disney had done it, they'd have killed off the mother no later than the first act (think Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Pocahontas....all motherless....I think Walt Disney had issues :biggrin: )


    Keep us updated on their progress!
     
    sommer, Aug 24, 2005
    #5
  6. drueter

    drueter

    963
    Apr 24, 2005
    Southeast Texas
    Nice shots, Harry! Thanks for the update on the family. Odds of survival for a species that spends most of it's time on the water in a place with lots of Gators and raptors is pretty low. Hope some of them make it. They really are cute ducklings!
     
    drueter, Aug 24, 2005
    #6
  7. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida
    Thanks Mike and I will be keeping an eye on these guys in the weeks to come.
     
    HarryB, Aug 25, 2005
    #7
  8. Nikam

    Nikam

    474
    Apr 30, 2005
    Mission BC, Canada
    Great series of shots, Harry! Those guys are so brightly colored, they really stand out. You'd think that tney would have evolved a little more camouflage for protection against the predators.
     
    Nikam, Aug 25, 2005
    #8
  9. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida
    Thanks Gordon. Anytime you are coming down here let me know and I will be more than happy to show you around.
     
    HarryB, Aug 25, 2005
    #9
  10. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida
    Thanks Frank. As much as I enjoy shooting these guys I always have a bit of hesitation about counting the ducklings because the number seems to decrease almost daily.
     
    HarryB, Aug 25, 2005
    #10
  11. Kevin Scott

    Kevin Scott

    5,985
    May 5, 2005
    Orlando, Florida
    They sure are cute little buggers, aren't they? Thanks for sharing these great shots and keeping us posted on their survival. We want them all to survive so we have more photo ops next season. ;) 
     
    Kevin Scott, Aug 25, 2005
    #11
  12. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida

    Thaks Sommer. They are a sight. When I saw them for the first time last year I was amazed by their bumble bee coloring.

    Disney would have killed off the parents in the first 1/2 hour and then have them be raised by a nice egret. I haven't found a nice egret yet myself.

    I will be following their progress.
     
    HarryB, Aug 25, 2005
    #12
  13. greyflash

    greyflash Subscribing Member

    33,091
    Jan 29, 2005
    St. George, Utah
    Colorful little guys Harry. There must be some reason for the color scheme, perhaps they resemble something predators don't like. Cute images.
     
    greyflash, Aug 25, 2005
    #13
  14. PJohnP

    PJohnP

    4,084
    Feb 5, 2005
    Harry :

    Great shots of the "cycle of life".

    I recall watching a snapping turtle eat four or five ducklings in a flock following mom in a neat line. The snapper was crafty - it picked them off from the back of the line one after another. Only when one ducking was able to get off a bleeting call did the rest panic and swarm up close to mom.

    Evolution in action, I guess. The smarter ones survived (that week).



    John P.
     
    PJohnP, Aug 25, 2005
    #14
  15. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida

    Thanks Don. I think the reason they have so many ducklings is because they will lose most of them before they mature. 24 ducklings is really a lot. If they all matured they would be over populated before long. Nature isn't kind but it usually knows what it is doing.
     
    HarryB, Aug 25, 2005
    #15
  16. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida

    Thaks Dennis. The come out in the open to eat. The rest of the time they are in the reeds and other growth. When they are off the open water they blend in better.
     
    HarryB, Aug 25, 2005
    #16
  17. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida

    I'm sure that a few will survive. Last year we only had one pair of BBWDs, this year I have seen 4 pairs so it looks like they are becoming regulars.
     
    HarryB, Aug 26, 2005
    #17
  18. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida
    Thanks Gordon. Once they get into the vegetation they blend in bette rthan their parents who have those red bills.
     
    HarryB, Aug 26, 2005
    #18
  19. bfjr

    bfjr Guest

    Life's a Biach, just gotta believe there's a reason :confused:  :frown:
    As always Pristine work, Boss !!
     
    bfjr, Aug 26, 2005
    #19
  20. huskey8

    huskey8

    159
    Feb 22, 2005
    Hi Harry

    Nice stuff Harry They are really cute I remember the bunch from last year hope these make out better. How are you feeling buddy dont forget to let me know when you want to check out MIWR.
     
    huskey8, Aug 27, 2005
    #20
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