Wood Ducks

Once Charlie and I spent the whole day paddling around Seattle's Arboretum in a rubber dinghy boat looking for the Wood Duck we heard was there. After seeing many great birds, we finally gave up and headed back to the car, only to find a pair hanging out on the lawn next to our car.

Gorgeous Wood Duck drake photo courtesy of Stephanie Rossi. Drake is the term for a male duck.

It's obvious looking at the bird, why we'd spend all day trying to see one. It's definitely our most dramatic local duck. Listen to what the Wood Duck sounds like, how it got it's name (hint: it's the outfit), and the story of how the species was saved from extinction here.

Drake and female Wood Duck, courtesy of Stephanie Rossi

We were fortunate to come across a large group of these when we visited Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Unfortunately, our camera was fogged up and all of our photos came out blurry. Even the funny one of two of them attempting to eat off a feeder together. Too bad, but thanks Steph for sharing your amazing photos with us!

Wood Duck giving us the over the shoulder glance, courtesy of Stephanie Rossi