The Yard Pond

[Curmudgeon]

I've had a camera on the pond by the house for a while. It was frozen through much of March but finally thawed.

Wood ducks after last weekend's snow

Hoody

Mallards and wood duck

[turkeyfeathers]

I've got a pair of mallards in our "yard pond "


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[Curmudgeon]

More ducks. I'm not sure what that 3rd duck is. Someone with really good ID skills might know. There are 4 male woodies in the second photo.

[Curmudgeon]

Since I repaired the raven damage to the Browning, I put that out by the pond for a test. Here are some more pond photos, including a great shot of kingfisher that was time just right. The delay must have worked out just right this time. It just left the water. Notice the fat-head minnow in its beak. I know the minnow species because that is the only fish in the pond.

Common mergs

A popular lady.

Moody woody shot.

[NFA-ADK]

Some nice shots!

[growalot]

How big is that pond? There certainly is a lot of different birds for a "yard pond". Nice shots do you have a marshy area and or houses up to attract them?

[Curmudgeon]

The pond is about 25 X 100 feet. It is less than 100 feet from the house, however, there is a heavy screen of willows on the house side. From inside, we can only see 10 or 15% of the water area. There is a duck box but the wood ducks never use it. Hooded mergansers have. There are a number of small ponds in the neighborhood, and a beautiful wetland a half mile away. Ducks and geese are always moving around, going from pond to pond.

Food is the major attraction. There is a lot of food for dabblers and fish eaters alike, emergent vegetation - that isn't up yet - and thousands of minnows and tadpoles.     

[Fletch]

Nice pics!! That kingfisher shot is a bonus!

[Curmudgeon]

Grow-

Here is a Google Earth view so you can see the size of the pond. The barn is 26' X 44' without the shed. The birds don't seem to mind the sheep. You can see the screen of willows. The camera is at the inside elbow. You can see the logs. That's the only spot we can see from the house.

You don't need a big pond to get good wildlife action.

[GreeneHunter]

Great Pics people keep em coming !