|
No need to pine for travel to distant lands to see
exotic-looking waterfowl. Just visit Kaysville Ponds in Davis County to
enjoy the eight native Hooded Mergansers I saw there today at about noon.
Two of them were somber-looking frosty-crested females and the remaining six
were exotic-looking, boldly-patterned, eye-catching, big-crested,
give-me-a-double take, Lophodytes cucullatus males. My
compliments to The Big Graphic Artist in the sky who designed them. What
knockouts these little boys are! Their black-and-white spurs sliced
along the sides of their breasts down to the water. The black secondary
feathers edged in white created a zebra effect when folded over the
black backs. And the rusty sides! The color
is perfect for dramatic visual impact to set off
the black-and-white plumage.
But the "crowning" glory of this exotic-looking
species is the headdress. The narrow black line bordering the
back of the crest sharply divides the white globes on either sides of the
duck's head. The male mergansers exercised their ability to
fan and fold those great big hoods after every dive and turn.
The crests must hold a great deal of water. Just like a human swimmer
with a thick head of hair, the ducks shook their heads to lighten the load
and restore their coiffure upon surfacing. The females did the same, but
I'm afraid the girls will always look like they're in need of a trip to the
salon when they're wet. The effect of the females' head-shaking was to
form one or more spikes of all the feathers sticking out straight back from
their heads or on top. Their crests looked like they were spiked with
styling gel.
Despite the girls' hair-dos, the males seemed
enamored. I saw what I thought might be a type of courting display or
demonstration to establish a social order. The males pointed their beaks
straight up, heaved their white breasts out of the water and then lurched their
heads forward as they settled back down. When one started, the others
followed. Same for diving. One dove as the others looked nervously
around, and then each duck followed in succession. Peer pressure seems to
have a powerful effect on this little duck.
The mergansers took occasional breaks from their
diving, crest-fanning extravaganza to glide around the pond in a tight,
arrow-shaped flotilla with the two females always in the lead (as it should
be). Sometimes the males cocked their tails high like Ruddy Ducks
do. The flotilla was also joined by a Bufflehead
bachlorette.
At least half the surface of the water is still
open and lots of waterfowl are using the ponds. I saw about a
dozen Ring-necked Ducks and they were evenly split between males and
females. Other species included five Graylag Geese gliding
around in a snooty single-file formation trying to look superior to all with
their beaks pointed skyward; Canada Geese, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Northern
Shovelers, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Gadwall, American
Coot, Pied-billed Grebes and lots of gulls (yawn). I noticed a few
birds more connected to flora or terra firma, too--Western Meadowlarks, American
Magpies and House Finches.
To reach Kaysville Ponds, take Exit 331 off I-15
and turn east. In approximately 1/2 mile, turn right on Main Street
and proceed south for 1/4 mile. Then bear right on 50 West. Drive
approximately a half mile--maybe a little more--and you'll see the ponds on your
right. They're sandwiched between 50 W. and the interstate and
they're the new home of the Utah Botannical Gardens.
Kris |