This is the time of the year when I have a special meeting, down in the flooded part of my woods, with a very beautiful creature. It is one of the most colorful ducks and has the unique habit of nesting in tree cavities. Years ago this duck experienced serious decline due to over-hunting and fewer tree cavities for nesting. In response, man-made nesting boxes were developed and placed around the country and the ducks took to them quite readily. This greatly helped the wood duck population to rebound and today it is a fairly common duck again.
At one time I had about 20 nesting boxes scattered around the woods surrounding my house, including a couple inside the windows of my barn. I set them up so that I could observe and photograph wood ducks while they’re incubating and hatching out eggs. Only eight boxes remain today, because physically it’s hard for me to maintain them. Each year the boxes must be cleaned out and fresh wood shaves placed in them. Predator guards need to be kept in good shape to prevent predators such as raccoons from getting into a box, killing the duck and eating its eggs. Squirrels also can be a problem when they take up residence in a nesting box.
The lower part of my woods floods in the spring and thus it attracts wood ducks, which want to rest and find nesting cavities. Years ago I built a small photo blind (4-1/2-by-4-1/2 feet) in that flooded area, and every year I put out some corn to lure the ducks close to the blind. These birds are sly and any noise or movement will spook them. There are only two small holes in the front of the blind, one for the camera lens, and another for me to peek through. I sit on a small stool in about 1 foot of water in that small, dark blind waiting for the woodies to show up so I can get some close shots of the beautifully colored male. This requires me to wade out to the blind before morning light and be prepared and quiet before the birds show up.
About the time it starts getting light a pair or two will come tumbling and weaving down through the trees in that flooded area. Being cautious, they slowly work their way towards the blind looking to see whether there is any corn to eat. Even with no noise or movement inside the blind on my part, these ducks are naturally nervous and often come and go for awhile until they’re assured the area is safe. Even the slight “click” of my camera will put them on high alert, forcing me to wait awhile longer before I get another image. I have some floating logs placed in front of the blind hoping I’ll catch one of those “glowing” male woodies perched on one, displaying all his iridescent colors for my camera.
Sometimes other creatures show up too. Last year a raccoon had discovered the corn under the water and returned for breakfast, giving me some unique shots as he searched underwater for kernels while keeping his eye on the blind. Sometimes a grackle will show up and perch on a log and reach down into the water to retrieve a kernel, giving me a colorful shot of his iridescent purple coloring. Occasionally a deer will pass by, and this year, I heard a pair of sandhill cranes calling as they flew over the blind.
Often times the ducks take an approach that leads them around and behind me where they perch on some nearby logs waiting to see whether there is “danger” in the blind. No heavy breathing for me when that happens! Eventually they get comfortable with the area and come around to the front of the blind. Once they have fed, they perch on the logs, relax and do some preening, offering me some great shots.
This year’s rendezvous lasted three hours and everything went perfect, with both woodies and mallards showing up, as well as a deer and some great lighting conditions. I got so many good images that I pulled my stool and tripod when I left that morning, knowing I wouldn’t have to return on another day. A screech owl in one of my wood duck nesting boxes even gave me a couple of nice shots as it sat in the entrance hole watching me walk out.
Yes, I have way too many wood duck photos from years gone by, but I still get a big thrill watching and photographing those beautiful ducks at 15 and 20 feet. It is difficult for me to get down to that blind nowadays and sit there, motionless and quiet, for hours on end, but I’ll probably be down there again next year.