Design - "Snowman Scissor Companion"
Designer - Ewe & Eye & Friends
Fabric - unknown hand-dyed 30 count linen
Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 4 January 2015
Completed - 4 January 2015
A wee snowman to start off the year!
And now back to Delta Ponds...
I visited Delta Ponds Saturday morning.
As it was the weekend, some folks were sleeping in!
The ponds are a great place to observe a variety of waterfowl.
I always enjoy seeing who the Snowbirds are.
American Coots are here all year.
American Wigeons though are winter residents. They breed in Canada and Alaska. Ducks are either dabblers or divers. Dabblers feeder near the surface of the water, while divers, well they dive for food. Wigeons are dabblers.
I wonder if they stay true to their mates when away from their breeding grounds.
This couple seemed very taken with one another.
Mallards are dabblers too.
Bufflehead. Isn't that an awesome name? They winter in the US, and breed in Canada. They are diving ducks. The coolest thing about them is that like Wood Ducks, they nest in trees. Buffleheads use old woodpecker cavities, particularly those made by Northern Flickers.
The Delta Ponds were pretty busy with young families and dogs on Saturday morning. I thought it might impact the birds I'd see, but I was lucky. Several people ahead of me walked right past this lovely Great Egret without ever seeing the bird.
Pied-billed Grebe is not a duck, though it resembles one. These waterfowl are divers and construct floating nests for their young. Their legs are located so far back on their bodies that they are very awkward on land.
Ring-necked Ducks are winter residents. They are very handsome with black and white bodies and bills. They are diving ducks.
Double-crested Cormorants are relatives to frigatebirds and boobies. They are large birds who seem to enjoy basking in the winter sun.
And here's the ubiquitous Canada Goose.
We are awash in these geese, including the subspecies of Cackling Geese.
90 minutes later and the Great Blue Heron is awake and ready to fish!
A sweet little guy that you could stitch and finish in one day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great variety of waterfowl you have.
Love the snowman!
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful birds and such an interesting post. Thanks for sharing all that information.
That is so cool. I have never seen a Great Blue Heron asleep.
ReplyDeleteLOL I guess the old saw -- if it looks like a duck..... must be amended because it might be a grebe! Thanks for the education!!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely birds as usual and lovely stitching as usual too.
I love the contrast between the heron sleeping and then awake.
ReplyDeleteCute little snowman! Haven't seen any ducks lately... they do fly away from here each winter. Not sure any stay over...
ReplyDeleteOMG! Is it possible to have seen Bufflehead ducks in Maine? We saw a bunch of ducks that looked like that and wondered what they were. So unusual looking! They were just feeding in the little bay there in town. We saw a cormorant too. The name Wigeon cracks me up -- it reminds me of widget. I think that's why it cracks me up. I enjoyed seeing the variety of ducks. Nice stitch too!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing all the pond birds. We are having mild weather so maybe we'll get out to see some pond birds up here. Your post inspires me!
ReplyDeleteNice water bird photos. The Great Blue Herons are impressive birds. I've seen some up close while out with my camera. They are large!
ReplyDeleteLove the snowman! Wows so many lovely wildfowl.
ReplyDelete