DECEMBER 3rd & 4th, 2014 The pond was nearly covered by a layer of ice on December 3rd. I laughed out loud at the ducks as they slid and skittered all over the place.

 
A Green Heron decided to watch the antics from the shore.
   
'Yikes!' thinks a Gull. 'There's another Gull down there!'
 

Along comes an interloper to jostle Mr Gull for a good place to stand.

   

Meanwhile the Mallards try to go for a stroll.

  

'Hey! Get off!' groans Mrs Duck. 'You're much too heavy for me to carry!'

 
'Whatcha doin' down there in the water?' asks Mr Mallard. 'The dog paddle!' she answers.
 

Chivalry is not dead! He helps her back up onto the sheet of ice.

   

These two, coming in for a landing, look a wee bit nervous.

'I'm trying to watch my feet at all times so I don't slip.'

  

Now let's try a belly landing. I bet that's cold!

 

Most of the ducks are fixated on their twins below the ice surface.

They don't know what to make of these strange shadow-ducks.

  
In the small area of open water swims a gorgeous male Wood Duck.
   
I'm so glad he paused for me to take his picture.
 

A Kingfisher watches from afar.

   
December 4th is dark and drizzly - not great weather conditions for photography.
Most of the pond ice had melted overnight.

Three Hooded Mergansers were frolicking in the water today..

For me, the highlight was a Bald Eagle sitting in a cottonwood tree nearby.

  

I have missed these majestic birds - they seem to have forgotten this pond for a while.

 

Finally - some pretty lichen 'flowers' grew on a damp log beside the path.

Hey - she's finally leaving. Think we should sound the 'All Clear'? .

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