Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Chicks and Ducks and Geese Better Scurry on the Cedar River Trail
Yesterday was bright and beautiful so I took a walk on the Cedar River Trail where it flows north into Lake Washington. Another one of my favorite trails, though I say that so often you may not believe me anymore.
The ducks were out in force, these Mallards, the most plentiful.
The Canada Geese were out with their goslings,
who were quite happy to find their only job in life is to eat, eat, eat and were doing a good job of it.
A family of Common Mergansers preferred to stay in the river, on their way to somewhere.
There were a few more distinctive looking ducks, though I’m not sure of their species. This one looked gentle, muted in personality and color.
This one quite dapper, and I guessed at Gadwall or American Black Duck. Feel free to identify more accurately if you can.
Finally, the Great Blue Heron is neither chick nor duck nor goose so did not make it into the title – a title which comes from one of my favorite childhood musicals – if you know – you know.
~ Susanne
P.S. Give up? The musical is Oklahoma, and the song, the Surrey with the Fringe on Top so now you know, ‘Chicks and Ducks and Geese Better Scurry when I take you out in the Surrey!’
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Great collection of birds Susanne. Love those heron photos. My bird app reckons the dapper duck is a Gadwall. Mind you, it pegs the one above as a Barn Owl!
Thanks, Graham. I think Gadwall is right. Someone else confirmed for me on FB. I still don’t know what the light colored one is, but harder to tell with the bill tucked away.
That Great Blue Heron is so majestic.
Yes, they are marvelous. Thanks, Darlene.
The heron is a real beauty, and I love the fluffy goslings and the Mergansers too 🙂
Thanks, Sarah. It was a regular bird bonanza! ☺️
I knew the song, as my parents loved musicals. I’m impressed with the feather detail you achieve on those duck photos. Please remind me again what camera you are using now, I might buy myself one.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. ☺️
I’m using the Panasonic Lumix FZ300. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and I love the long zoom on it!
Thanks for that, I will check it out. ☺️
You’re welcome. ☺️
Sadly no longer available new in the UK. Some examples on Ebay but not great condition.
I thought that might be the case. Maybe one of the later versions that replaced it might still be available, but the price may go up substantially.
So sweet! And the mergansers look so cool.
Thank you! I loved seeing so many chicks and ducks and geese and birds!
Such a cute collection of water fowl, Susanne! I recognized the post title from Oklahoma!
FYI, I still use my Lumix FZ300 for bird pics and around the yard, etc. It’s hard to travel or walk with for very long. But I bought another Lumix, a Lumix DC-ZS99. It has an app to upload photos to your phone or cloud which is great and easier than lugging and using a laptop to upload from the camera. I bought mine on Amazon and it was reasonable. It’s not as amazing as the travel lens on the FZ300, but its compact and much lighter.
Good to know! I bought the FZ300 years ago after your recommendation. And it is the best for birds!
I’ll take a look at the ZS99 for travel! Thanks! ☺️