Momma Duck Returns!

As I drove down Shady Brook on Wed Dec. 22 at 7:15 I was shocked to see not 2 but 3 ducks in the usual place. I grabbed my camera and have now compared today's photo to the ones from the summer. Momma Duck has returned!! The identification was confirmed when the ducks were spotted in our yard and the new lady was in the tree -- just where Momma used to sit.

Three ducks in a tree

Three ducks roosting in our mesquite. Momma used to sit here and watch over her young ones. Now the two sons have joined her.

Icy Ducks

Well the duck guys made it through the cold. I spotted them Friday morning. Thank you to all the neighbors who help with their care!

From an August duck posting -- not to worry about our ducky guys. They are hardy to -15 deg C, which is 5 deg F.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Ducks/Musc/BRKScobies.html
This site tells us Muscovies are the only domestic ducks that are not derived from Mallard stock. They are a South American species. They are intelligent and the males(drakes) will be much larger than the females (ducks). This site tells me they are "tree birds" so they don't need water! They are also great mothers and expert foragers, which I think we would all agree with now. They are even hardy at -15 deg C which is way below freezing.

Cold and icy in Bedford

These pictures were taken about 9am on Thursday the 8th. See the "feels like 1 degree" on the Yahoo site! It shows about 18 degrees. On Friday the 9th we actually hit 14 or 15 degrees during the early hours.

Driveways and roofs are white but the center of the street LOOKS clear -- until you hit the surprise icy patch. At 8:30am today KRLD reported that there had been 2145 accidents in Fort Worth since 4pm yesterday. The overpasses were treacherous yesterday afternoon even at 5mph.

Mailbox problems

This picture shows two things. One is the extent of the ice we had -- a dry street and then an icy patch. The grass looks bare, but it is crisp to walk on. Roofs sidewalks and driveways are also white with ice, not snow.

This photo also shows we've been having mailboxes damaged. During the past couple of months I've noticed 2 that have been destroyed.

Fall Colors

Nov. 27 - fall colors