Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

I was in my recliner, drinking late morning coffee, but still half asleep. Suddenly Lorna said, "I just saw legs fly by, I think it was Whistling Ducks!"  Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are clown birds - gawky and upright with a long neck, pink bill, and long pink legs. Not your typical urban backyard birds. 

And just the legs? Whistling Ducks in the backyard? Yeah, right. We are in second floor apartment above Keith and Audrey, the owners of the Wesmor Apartments and the Alamo Inn. We have balconies front and back, with the back balcony overlooking their private yard. It is a long way from any water and definitely not waterfowl habitat - except for a little tub of water for the goose to play in. By then Lorna was out the door grabbing her camera as she went by. Over her shoulder confirming her Black-bellied Whistling Ducks ... I.D.'d by only a glimpse of their duckie legs visible below the eaves on a fly by. Well done, I say. 

So I grabbed a camera and followed her out. There they were, two ducks sitting on the yard-light pole and one on the line. After she got a few shots she ran out to the front balcony we share with Anders and Joyce to tell them. As I got a couple of photos they joined us to watch the ducks fly down to eat the birdseed Keith puts out for the doves. 

 They were getting their fill until the "watch goose" realized they were there and he advanced with a show of bluster and much honking. The ducks flew off the feeder and settled down on the ground away from the goose to evaluate the situation.

The cat was stalking them, but he seemed hesitate to take on birds of that size. After it became obvious there was no more cracked corn in their immediate future the ducks flew up on the roof above our heads. As far as I know they may still be up there.

Reporting your Slow News Of the Day - Gunnar