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Post by downylover on May 31, 2015 20:05:30 GMT -5
On their third(!) visit today he finally went over to it. He stuck his head in and shook his tail. It was raining pretty hard so I'm hoping maybe he'll go in when its dry out. She went to the same ground bath. She seems to follow the same pattern while he will wander around more. He'll wander off then pop up somewhere else.
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Post by BarbK on Jun 1, 2015 21:52:14 GMT -5
Sounds like your having a lot of fun with your visiting ducks. It is a treat to see them in the backyard. Happened to me last year or so, and I got a big kick out of it. Hope they use their pool.
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Post by hazelrunmama on Jun 3, 2015 9:39:35 GMT -5
He's pretty cute! Love the head tilt! So did they come back since it stopped raining?
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Post by downylover on Jun 3, 2015 19:16:48 GMT -5
They have returned and he went into the pool! He had a tough time getting in and she went over after he was in. She tried but couldn't get in. They want to step up and go in, no attempt to fly over the edge. Its not very deep but he was in there moving all around and putting his head all the way under. The water got kind of dirty from all the rain. Tomorrow evening I'm going to clean/dump/refill. I'm going to rearrange to have it on the patio and put a brick as a step for her.
I am having fun. They have no idea how much joy they have brought just by landing here.
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Post by Calamity Creek Gal on Jun 3, 2015 21:45:09 GMT -5
What joy downylover!! It is interesting that they don't try to fly over or at least lift up and glide over.
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Post by luv2bird on Jun 4, 2015 19:27:33 GMT -5
On their third(!) visit today he finally went over to it. He stuck his head in and shook his tail. It was raining pretty hard so I'm hoping maybe he'll go in when its dry out. She went to the same ground bath. She seems to follow the same pattern while he will wander around more. He'll wander off then pop up somewhere else. Nice pic. Kim.
Watching the male splash around in the water sounds like so much fun, she will go in eventually.
That is a great idea, getting the pool.
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Post by hazelrunmama on Jun 5, 2015 23:24:58 GMT -5
Ha! At least partial success, anyway! Could you fashion some sort of ramp for them?
I can picture it now! A duck agility course--the elevated duck walk and an a-frame in and out of the pool! LOL
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Post by downylover on Jun 6, 2015 12:31:16 GMT -5
Haha! I put things I had - a paving stone and a small wooden box planter. I cleaned/refilled/moved it last night and put the "steps" there. They flew in shortly after. The stuck their heads in and drank. He finally went up on the steps and I thought he was going to go in but then the damn crows flew over. Every bird int he yard takes off with the crows are around, ducks included. This morning he was here alone. He ate and drank but then was waddling around quacking, I'm guessing calling her. He flew off so he must have heard her elsewhere. Maybe this evening they'll go in.
What was funny this morning - I was just about to go out to bring out food and went to get a cup of coffee to bring out with me. When I got to the door he was standing in the middle of the patio looking right at me. I opened the door and he just waddled back a bit quacking and waited for me to throw the food. By the end of the summer he'll be quacking at the door, lol.
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Post by hazelrunmama on Jun 8, 2015 11:42:19 GMT -5
Or ringing the bell! LOL So glad they're still coming around! I hope they start using the 'steps' to get in the pool. Now THAT would make a great video!
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Post by downylover on Jun 8, 2015 22:52:08 GMT -5
They were here 3 times on Saturday but didn't see them on Sunday. Each made a solo visit early this morning. Tonight something caught my eye just before dark. I looked out and there were my 2 buddies standing on the patio. I opened the door to go out with food and they started quacking and waddling around but didn't go off the patio. They were really hungry, they gobbled all their food, her especially. He was quacking while eating then sat all relaxed for a few while she was eating. They then just waddled across the lawn before flying off.
She went in pool when she was here alone but I'm not positive she intended to. She as right by it and a cardinal swooped down right next to her and jumped/flapped and next thing she was in the pool. She seemed to like it once she was in. She was dunking her head and went around 3 or so times.
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Post by naturelover on Jun 11, 2015 15:08:30 GMT -5
Sounds like you have entertainment for the summer.
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Post by hazelrunmama on Jun 11, 2015 18:46:15 GMT -5
LOL I can just picture the scene with the cardinal and the startlement on her face when she found herself in the water! Glad they're still coming around to visit you.
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Post by downylover on Jun 12, 2015 10:02:26 GMT -5
They were here for an hour and a half last night, lol. They were out waiting there when I went to bring out food. I put some for them and sat to wait. Generally they eat and go. They ate so much that I went inside to get them more food. After about 30 minutes the other birds were losing patience waiting for food so I decided to try to sneak around the ducks to get to the feeder, thinking they couldn't possibly stay much longer and they ate so much already and if they flew off so be it. I was sprinkling some seed under shrubs since I saw cardinals in there. I hear "quack" and I look and the two of them had waddled over and were standing right next to me. I moved and they started eating the seed. I then filled up the feeders and went back to the patio to sit and watch. They made their way back to under the feeder then back to the patio to finish up and drink. They strolled around the lawn for a couple of minutes before flying off. I was shocked at how long they were here and how relaxed they were. I have seen that they are definitely more relaxed when here together then if one is here alone.
Pool is pretty much a bust. If they don't bother with it this week I'm giving it to my sister for her dog. Its a pain to keep dumping/cleaning/refilling and sitting there empty.
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Post by luv2bird on Jun 12, 2015 12:15:31 GMT -5
They were here for an hour and a half last night, lol. They were out waiting there when I went to bring out food. I put some for them and sat to wait. Generally they eat and go. They ate so much that I went inside to get them more food. After about 30 minutes the other birds were losing patience waiting for food so I decided to try to sneak around the ducks to get to the feeder, thinking they couldn't possibly stay much longer and they ate so much already and if they flew off so be it. I was sprinkling some seed under shrubs since I saw cardinals in there. I hear "quack" and I look and the two of them had waddled over and were standing right next to me. I moved and they started eating the seed. I then filled up the feeders and went back to the patio to sit and watch. They made their way back to under the feeder then back to the patio to finish up and drink. They strolled around the lawn for a couple of minutes before flying off. I was shocked at how long they were here and how relaxed they were. I have seen that they are definitely more relaxed when here together then if one is here alone. Pool is pretty much a bust. If they don't bother with it this week I'm giving it to my sister for her dog. Its a pain to keep dumping/cleaning/refilling and sitting there empty.
Greatly enjoyed your description of the going on in your yard, picturing all in my mind as I read, it is just like being there. Thanks for sharing Kim.
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Post by hazelrunmama on Jun 14, 2015 14:46:19 GMT -5
I can't believe they aren't taking advantage of the pool, the little ingrates! LOL But at least they appreciate the diner! How cool that you've been inducted into Duck Society as head waitress!
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