For the third day in a row this week, a mallard duck has dropped by for a visit. We've been alerted to his presence by our Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who raced around the pool barking their displeasure while he swam a few laps. This morning he arrived again, right on schedule, this time with his mate. As soon as the dogs announced their presence, I was outside, armed with my camera. What gorgeous creatures!
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| Katie set off the alarm and the other dogs quickly followed her. |
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| Emily and Tough Nut barked the loudest and the longest, annoyed, I'm sure, that the ducks simply ignored them. |
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| After a leisurely swim, they took flight. |
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| And headed off over the garden. |
A much needed refurbishment to our pool has been delayed by weather but I'm surprised they didn't land in the the water garden which is barely ten feet away. I recall a similar visit last spring and can only wonder if it's the same pair of ducks, passing through on their migratory return trip home. Flocks of mallards are referred to as sords and several sords have flown noisily past overhead in the past couple of weeks.
Update: It is now Day 5 and the mallard pair continues to visit daily. Today we were able to get some additional photographs showing the gorgeous blue markings on the female's wings. The trotted about the patio, took a quick dip in the pool, and then flew off again.
I just love the picture's of the ducks. They are so cute and it looks like they enjoy the swim in your pool.
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