at the Duck Pond

 

Headed over to Kingwood today to see what was going on.  Looks like one of today's projects was to clean out the duck pond.  The duck pond was originally built as a water reserve for a fire to the house.  But as it is now a duck pond, it needs regular cleaning.  I had a high school friend who did this as a seasonal worker many years ago.  It was his least favorite project at Kingwood.  I imagine the task has not improved over the years.  They were in the draining phase during these pictures.

 

 

I always think it funny that originally it was used to prepare for fire and now it is used to make sure the fire hydrants are working properly.  As that is how they fill the pond back up.

 

 

The Day I SAVED a Duck and the day I almost didn't

Volunteering at Kingwood getting ready for the Spring Flower Festival, Lisa Duckworth and I were back in the service building area putting sand in baggies. (to hold papers on the tables the next day).  A guy brought in two white peeking ducks in a tub to donating to Kingwood.  Later that afternoon, I was watching them in the pond thinking they didn't look so well.  They were thrashing and splashing in the water.  But I wasn't sure and thought it was a possibility they were getting use to a new pond.  The next day I found out that the poor ducks didn't know how to get out of the pond and were found that morning exhausted, trying to keep afloat.  There is a secrete duck exit, but I guess they failed to figure it out.  I felt terrible that I didn't say something the day before.

So flash forward to the day I saw this peeking duck and I knew to act.  He wasn't thrashing the in the same way as last time, but the strange way its back tail feathers were up was my clue.  He seemed to just go around the side of the pond keeping its webbed feet against the slight concrete ledge.  Well, I went to the greenhouse and asked for one of the security guards to check on him.  I don't have a picture of the security guard pulling him out with a net, or the blood on his tiny webbed feet.  But the rescue mission was a success.  And I am happy to report that since his recovery he has been living happily on the pond with a wooden walking plank to safely get him in and out of the pond!   

Happy Arbor Day

Chuck Gleaves, Director at Kingwood Center, finished planting up a grove of birch trees, over by the duck pond, in time for Arbor Day.

Mr. Robin perches to survey just moments after planting and by his song, I can tell he approves of a job well done!

Happy Days - NEW DUCKS ! ! !

Shawn McClain acquired a few new friends for the duck pond.  I will elaborate on the others later, but today I will focus on my favorite.  Sorry Indian Runners.  The East Indie Duck and Peking friend.  I don't have any beautiful shots yet.  These are just introductory shots.  But I consider this duck to be special, so there are too many pictures to follow!



You want to take pictures of me?



not until



I've done some preening



Come over here and get in the picture!



Tandem Preening



Just a few



more feathers....



Ready for my close up



Get my good side..



Playing Coy



Photo shoot done.  Now I need a drink!

Hint of Spring

Today I had just about an hour for a relaxing walk around Kingwood Center.  There are two patches of Winter Aconites starting to bloom.  One in the Perennial Garden near the parking lot and one on the back path of the duck pond.  The tulips and daffodils are still just nubs making this just a hint of Spring.

Kingwood Center - Gates Open Today

March 1st.  My guy and I headed over to Kingwood for a walk.  I took the picture to the left and put it on the Kingwood Center facebook page. 

The ducks and peacocks were happy to see that we remembered to bring a few quarters for corn.

Duck Angel

Christmas Eve Day is a magical time.  Here I caught a picture of a duck angel hovering over the duck pond.

Winter has arrived at the Duck Pond

I aways consider the first day of official winter the day the fence goes up on the duck pond.  Shawn M. put the chain link up around the walkway of the pond on Friday.  He paused briefly from completing the task as to not disturb them while I was feeding, as the ducks were not at all happy with the process.  Now that it has been completed I don't think they care at all.  Here they are anticipating another feeding, but soon afterward retreated to the unfrozen water in the back of the pond.

Wood Duck

After returning to Ohio, from an extended visit in Texas, my guy and I put a few quaters in our pocket and went to Kingwood. At the duck pond we were greeted by peacocks and Indian Runner ducks. As the Mallards swam across the pond toward us, we noticed a smaller duck among them. A Wood duck has joined the Kingwood Duck Pond family. At least, I think it is a Wood duck. Initially I thought it was a Merganser, but upon checking my Field Guide to Birds, realized it was not due to the white around its eye. I also find it difficult to tell if it is a winter male or female. Going back later in the day to get a picture, we found it still hanging out with the Mallards, but this time in the back pond (over by the peony garden). Turns out it has been seen at Kingwood for a few weeks now and let’s hope it stays.