Duck Families

These three pictures are of native duck families along the Torrens. The colours are true to life.

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To see a video of two duck families in the sun, click here (may take awhile unless you use broadband).

It isn't only native ducks who populate the Torrens. This old vetereran exotic was sunning himself as I walked by. The most common type of exotic species is the Mallard. Their numbers are down at present, they were culled out a few years ago, but increasing again. They are certainly more aggresive than the locals, and less friendly.

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Duck Family

A couple weeks ago I took these photos of this little family of ducks. I'd first seen the ducklings a week before then. Then, there were twelve of them. I think at the time of these photos, there were seven.

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They were making their way downstream from their daytime feeding zone to their night time haunts.

It would be interesting to see them climb UP the waterfall...

Pool and pool life

Before moving on to show you around the place we left in California Street (below), I feel I should show you what most defines the present abode to most of those who have visited - the pool. This photo was taken the evening we moved in. You can see the 'rust stain' at bottom right, and the machine that collects most of the leaves which sink to the bottom.

...Living on the edge of the Torrens Valley, we have a fair few ducks passing through or over our yard. Some just can't resist enjoying their own private pond for awhile...

These two appeared to be considering the local environs for their new family home. Even though I have a fondness of ducks (see here and here), I hope I have dissuaded them. Visitors, I don't mind. Ducklings in our pool during its first summer would be a bit much!

Freckled Duck

Actually, this guy is a Maned (Wood) Duck. I have had to leave the inaccurate title to this post, however, because if I change it in the interest of accuracy I can't link directly to the post anymore. I think this is only a problem in blogger in the archives, because the problem fixed up when I changed post title to the inaccurate 'freckled duck'. Anyway, I'm sure you'll agree he's worth a look!

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The sound of this duck I saw at Gawler was really weird, something like the percussive cough a kookaburra makes as a prelude to laughing. He wasn't happy that I hung around at 12 zoom.

I think he's a Maned (Wood) Duck - although the listed sound for the species doesn't quite gel.

Wood Duck

This fellow thought I was trying to feed him my camera, but wouldn't get too close as there were dogs acting stupid behind me. Could be recropped, but I like the current...

F3.6 1/40 +1/3 EV

Ducks on the Torrens

I like ducks. These are, I believe, wood ducks. They are the most common variety along the Torrens. They aren't totally wild, and were curious about me. I call the bird at top of photo a 'moorhen'.

F3.2 1/30 -1/3EV

Things can get gloomy along the banks of the river at dusk. This was the last patch of sunlight I saw down there. Although not a striking photo, I like the diagonals flowing right to left. They reflect the arrest movement of the river itself. Notice the duck noticing me?

F4.0 1/80 ISO 80 Reg EV