We live on a shy-acre on Union Hill East of Redmond, WA. We have a small
water feature in the back yard, but it's deep in the tall trees - Douglas
Firs and Western Red Cedar - just a small fountain and a stream running down
the hill forty feet or so to a 120 sq ft pool (now covered in a giant
arrow-headed water plant of some kind) with a resin Great Blue Heron for
decoration standing by the pond. Lots of feeders, too, both for birds and
for squirrels, and corn.

We've been getting Mallards at the pond in the spring, and late this summer
mom has been bringing the now-fledged mallardlings to the pond and corn
feeders. Then more Mallards started tagging along, and more, until we've
had up to nineteen Mallards feeding at the corn & wildlife feed block.

This morning seven Mallards flew in followed closely by a Great Blue Heron.
I guess the fake GBHE fooled him/her enough to make it worthwhile following
the ducks in for a look. He/she never approached the fake, and only stayed
for a couple of minutes, but it sure was a treasure of a moment - out in the
woods - for a new yard bird.


bru
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