This mated pair of ducks has taken up residence in a swimming pool in northeast Greensboro. According to the owner of the pool, the ducks arrive every morning. Sometimes, it is the female alone. Other times, they are both swimming, foraging, and playing together. In researching this duo, we learned that ducks are seasonally monogamous. Barring unforseen disasters, they mate for the season. The drake (male) will defend the female, her young, and her space; howeve, he will not really be involved in raising the young. They are called dabbling ducks because they bob for their food on the surface, as oposed to diving. Also called puddle ducks, they take flight when scared, as opposed to having to walk across the water a bit first. The above seasonally-mated pair seems happy in their man-made pond. They seem happy in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Greensboro's ducks are plentiful, but not as plentiful the the Canada geese. Do you have any ducks or geese who have taken up residence in your yard? We're sharing the above photo with our friends at Weekend Reflections.
The above pictured ducks are Mallards.
Posted by: Dianne Swayne | Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 11:11 AM
I had to look twice, and re read to check you did say, swimming pool. How strange.
Posted by: Jane | Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 03:26 PM
Yes, @Jane, they live in a swimming pool. @Diane, thanks. I used to think mallards were the males. Then remembered they are the drakes. What are the females? Mallard-ology 101......
Posted by: Janis & David | Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 07:15 PM
I suppose they enjoy a slightly different swimming experience, because there's no food down below. It makes for a great contrast though.
Posted by: William Kendall | Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 08:19 PM
the female Mallard is a hen, the babies are ducklings...Yes, the male Mallard is a drake.
Posted by: Dianne Swayne | Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 09:49 AM
Oh this looks so familiar to me GDP.. we have a pair, and yes they are the same pair (one has a limp)that come and land in our pool every winter.. Not that happy about it as they make a dreadful mess, but they look so cute swimming about in there :)
Posted by: Grace | Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 11:12 AM
@Grace.... We'll have to look out for a limp!
Posted by: Janis & David | Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 03:53 PM
Fantastic reflection.
Posted by: Margaret | Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 04:58 PM
Very nice 'portrait'!
Posted by: VP | Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 05:05 PM