Here comes the Storm~!

Kensington Ringneck Report

I dropped off the Horsewoman at Yeti’s place for a vet appointment, then hustled over to Kensington Metropark to check on the hundreds of Ringnecked Ducks that had been resting at Wildwings Lake on their way south.

The sheltered bays along the Huron River were frozen. A bevy of mute swans glided upstream from the bridge, searching for protection from the wind.

A muskrat swam along the shoreline. You can just make out her lodge in the cattails at the edge of the advancing ice. The current is strong here, keeping the river channel ice-free.

Even the mallards were bunched up in lee of the west bank, paddling along the line of ice that seemed to be growing as I watched.

I was searching for migratory ducks. Far out in the river I spotted them. A few pair of buffleheads and some scaup.

Above: two pair of buffleheads mixing in with the mallards. The males have more white; the females have a patch of white on their cheek. Buffleheads are small diving ducks, breeding in the far north. Some will stick around here as long as they can find open water, though many more migrate much further south.

Now’s when I need a powerful camera to grab shots when they’re so far off shore.

I hopped back in the truck and pulled up to Wildwing Lake, still searching for the Ringnecks. Three lone Sandhill Cranes held vigil in the parking lot, somehow balancing on one leg in the stiff breeze. (See Opening Picture)

I slid down the icy trail towards Wildwing Lake.

The Ringnecks were gone.

For good reason.

The shallow lake was frozen solid. Light clouds of snow whipped across the ice, driven by the northwest wind. Low grey clouds scudded by, pregnant with snow.

I zipped up my parka completely and followed the trail around the lake, escorted by a squadron of chickadees, nuthatches and Titmice.

The birds knew a storm was coming. They had been sheltering in the shrubs along the empty trail.

I made my offerings at the Temple. This Chickadee came back for seconds mid-air!

This Downy Woodpecker watched for an opening, then swept in for a treat.

The Tufted Titmouse picked just the right seed.

Back at the parking lot the Cranes were tucked in even tighter.

Try this yoga pose!

I was happy to get back in the truck out of the wind, having made my rounds.

Yeti was doing well. We headed for home, just ahead of the storm.

At home the birds were huddling in the lee of the house when not hammering the feeder to weather.

The wind has been roaring here all night. It looks like Northern Indiana is getting hammered with the lake effect snow off Michigan.

Here at home the snowplows and salt trucks are out, but we’re retired!

A good day for crosswords, reading, writing, and staying cozy by the fire.

Hope your day is a good one~!

Thanks for traveling along~!

Welcome new subscribers~!

This post has links to all stories about the Ringnecked Ducks at Kensington: