Wood ducks, Tefft

The unnatural warmth continues, and I could probably hike in shorts. I did, however, spot a Deer Tick on my jeans just after I started walking, so I was glad I didn't give in to clothing temptations. And I was equally glad to be wearing relatively thorn-proof pants, since, with the trail taking me past a stretch of open, beaver-crafted pond, I was able to get close to the water without needing stitches. I was hoping to spot a few ducks and, in answer to this silent plea, a pair of male Wood Ducks, in perfect breeding plumage, slid out of the shadows. There's almost nothing more gorgeous in our area than these birds, and, after capturing them with the Sigma supertelephoto, I gave thanks for this blessing of good luck and being ready with the right lens at the right time. I also wished the pair well on their subsequent southern journey. Maybe I'd see them again in the spring.