It’s been a lively week in the nature reserve. And I’m quite proud to say that I’ve run there on five days out of seven. In 90 degree weather. My reward has been that I don’t walk like a duck anymore. Although there’s nothing wrong with the walking style of this new resident, a male Muscovy Duck. Duck walk fits him perfectly.
Only small populations of this duck, native to Mexico, Central and South America, have established themselves in North America. It makes his company quite special. And I’ve seen him around on every run. Just like I’ve seen Papa Osprey. On Monday he was eating his lunch at noon on the top of his favorite dead palm trunk. The big fish got all his attention.
The next day he was having lunch, again around noon, on the top of a street light next to the bay. When I arrived, he was just about done. And greeted me with an expressive look. I wonder what that means.
Since Thursday, he’s been perching on the corner of his nest every morning. And on some evenings I’ve seen him there (from my terrace) close to sundown as well. I’m not sure whether he just likes to rest there, do some maintenance and plan for the upcoming nesting season, or whether he’s protecting the nest from the new male who appeared in this area mid July. He might be making sure the other guy knows who has the leasing contract on the nest.
This morning I could sense some tension in the air when the other osprey suddenly flew right over the nest, and then settled on the top of a cypress tree nearby. In Papa Osprey’s park!
They were not saying a peep, but clearly kept an eye on each other. It’ll be interesting to follow these dynamics in the coming days.
I have seen many other birds as well this week, but want to share only one more picture with you today. We have Moorhen chicks again! What a nice surprise. I love these black fuzzy babies. Do I get an awww?
This time the nest is in the middle of the salt marsh, where they have lots of long grass to hide in. Yesterday I saw two chicks from a distance when Mom Moorhen took them for a short swim. Today no such luck, but something to look forward to…
With that I wish you all a wonderful weekend. Peace. ❤ Tiny
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
Delightful update. 🙂 And accompanying words as well. Good weekend wishes returned!
Thanks Eric! This is where I find my “zone”!
The new duck looks like he’s all ready for the beauty contest. 🙂
Yes, he’s pretty! And good mannered. I had never seen one before and couldn’t find him in “Florida Birds” either…because these birds are not supposed to be here. But he didn’t ask for a permission to come, I guess 🙂 So I got identification help from Cornell’s Bird Lab.
I wonder how 2 male ospreys will get along? lol Time will tell. And nice to have such delightful newcomers! Awww indeed for the fuzzy babies. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend my dear friend!
I hope they’ll get along fine. I have seen them fairly close to each other before, but not in PO’s territory. There was no name calling at least 🙂 but clearly they were aware of each other’s presence. I hope to see the fuzzy babies again…their mom is very good at hiding them. Wonderful weekend to you too!
Awwwww….. and awwwwwesome you with your running. 🙂 I think Papa Osprey is definitely staking his claim to the nest. Do you think that when the street lights were installed, the planners realised that they would be used for dinner plates? 😀
I don’t think so! But they work nevertheless 🙂 We have a couple of new bridges from our barrier island to the mainland and I’ve observed that the new street lights are much smaller and angled slightly upward…so the supply of new dinner plates is limited 😀
Awwwwwwwwwww
Thank you Gloria! Now I have to try to get more pictures of these babies 🙂
Not the loveliest of ducks at close quarters, Tiny, but a great photo. Also that first shot of the osprey is brilliant.
Thanks Tish! This particular one has been well mannered thus far…alone among so many other wild birds who call the salt marsh home. In my research I learned that these ducks are domesticated in several countries…
Very nice captures Tiny! 🙂
Thank you, happy liked them!
Love this post, perfectly explains ‘house hunting’. You can find one at 7.30 without a 8 to 5 job.
That’s right. I found one exactly like that. Thanks Arjun.
Beautiful photos!
Thank you! The “models” are beautiful.
I get so involved with your critter stories that I miss noticing all of that consistent effort you are making to be awesomely fit. Go Tiny!!
I’m making an effort…I know that I’m “allowed” to stop at the salt marsh to take pictures and rest, which is a great motivator 😀 Hope you had a nice weekend…we’re having some temperatures here in FL right now.
Your magical shots always brighten my day! Thank you for sharing your talent in such an engaging manner!! ♥
Thank you! Nature is always so inspiring, and we can learn much by just observing and enjoying it. Have a wonderful week! ❤
let’s hope that rivalry stays respectful (and distant). I’d hate to hear of drama in this little sanctuary.
That’s what I’m hoping too. It seems to me that PO has established “seniority” and that respectful “rules of the game” have been set….
Squatters rights, and all. 🙂
You lucky ducky – fabulous captures!
Thanks Joanne, some days I’m lucky and others not so much, many pics of blue skies and a wing tip 😀
Nothing ever stays the same, does it? Sometimes we do what we have to…
That’s right! Papa Osprey has discovered that as well, I think…