Ducks, Geese and Swans

jimster

13 years ago

How do they survive winter temperatures? It's amazing.

Jim

Comments (12)

dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
13 years ago
And why don't they fly south?

dcarch
dlynn2
13 years ago
Geese.... wish they would fly south, and stay!!!! They are pretty and fun to watch, but they sure make lots of messes in my yard and on the sidewalk.
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jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
I hate to mention it but what about their impact on clams, mussels and oysters, all filter feeders? Is dilution the solution to pollution?

And I didn't include gulls, which are omnipresent, just part of the ambience.

Jim
sushipup1
13 years ago
Our flocks here on the central California coast are pretty stable. But there's a lot of migration as well. Some resident pesty flocks of geese, but there are apparently lots more that just stop in on their way to elsewhere.

I don't know if I've ever seen a wild swan, but there are lots of egrets and herons around here. And hawks. We have the most gorgeous hawks in our little canyon. One sits on the wires across the front of our property and I love to watch it soar over the pastures. I hear the owls every night, too.

So we these marvelous predatory birds, why did we have a mouse explosion in the house last summer? Sigh. I should adopt a hawk, the old cat is useless.

Here is a link that might be useful: Heorns and egrets
hawk307
13 years ago
Hi Jim:
In the Wildfowl Artist Carvers world we don't talk about
all the boo boo's and poop poo's.
Just the beauty and grace of God's Creatures.
As you would an Infant.

I've had to tiptoe thru the Tulips many times, LOL !!!
Here are some of the Wildfowl Carvings mentioned above.
The Seagulls are not carvings.
LOU

Swan, Impressionistic Style, exaggerated neck

Seagulls in Flight

Redtailed Hawk and Weasel ( named Rivals )
Chipmonk hiding in the Driftwood.
jude31
13 years ago
dlynn, thank you very much but we already have far more than enough of the geese, so would you mind not foisting them off on us poor southerners?:-)

jude
jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
Those are magnificent carvings, Lou. The swan carving gives a perfect impression of the swans I've been watching. When they sleep they just lower that neck further until it rests on their back. I saw 14 of them slowly drifting around like pillows in a salt pond as they took an afternoon snooze.

Jim
triciae
13 years ago
Jim, we've got a large over-wintering population of mute swans here also. Did you know they are an invasive exotic species native to Europe & Asia? Many northeastern states are instigating control efforts. I don't believe they eat fish...just aquatic veggies...they're considered destructive to our native marshland habitats because they uproot aquatic grasses just for the heck of it that fish & other shoreland fowl use as homes & a food source. They're attractive so it's hard to watch them & realize that they need to be greatly reduced in numbers. The Mystic River is not really a "river". It's an estuary & the swans are very destructive to our ecosystem.

/tricia

PS Lou, I absoltely love your carvings! Thanks for the postings.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mute Swans
jojoco
13 years ago
There is a local artist who does the most amazing wood carvings I have ever seen. You absolutely want to reach out and touch the feathers. His work is in a gallery in my town. It is a treat to view.
Jo

Here is a link that might be useful: How can these be made of wood?
jimster
Original Author
13 years ago
"Did you know they are an invasive exotic species native to Europe & Asia?"

I was surprised to learn that just the other day. I also discovered from my reading that they uproot eelgrass, which is important among other things as habitat for bay scallops. The bay scallop population here has suffered from an absence of eelgrass, which fortunately has started to recover in recent years.

Jim
jojoco
13 years ago
Lou,
You carved all those incredible birds? Wow, unbelievable!
hawk307
13 years ago
jojoco:
Thanks !!!

No !!! I didn't carve all those birds.
I did a lot more, LOL !!!

Entered the Redtailed Hawk in Ocean City , MD. At the World Class Carving Competition.

Didn't win any Ribbons there but I was in the running.
I have won a lot of Blue Ribbions in the Pro Class on the East Coast and Livonia Michigan.

Have many Photo's but a lot of Carvings were sold.

Lou