(Female Mallard - photo by Neil Barker - May 20, 2024)
Found in a forest of ferns, a winged being of the water.
Neither fleeing by flight or foot, she waits and watches still.
What confluence of events has taken place to arrive here?
I took these photos on May 20, 2024. A recent post by
got me thinking about the beauty of ferns (Post by James linked below.)I remembered looking at ferns on one of my hikes some months ago and being surprised to see this Mallard hen.
She was simply standing still among the ferns. I think we both surprised each other.
That morning, the Sun seemed to be putting her in the spotlight. I felt like Nature was nudging me and saying: “Look here!”
The ferns in this conservation area give a different feel and vibe to the park here in Ottawa. It feels like I am on the West Coast in the forests in British Columbia near Vancouver with a warmer and more humid climate.
Post by
with some excellent information about ferns:
Magical!
Great photos and excellent post, Neil. I’m glad the ferns helped facilitate a special encounter with a Mallard. Ferns and a duck—doesn’t get much better. Thank you for mentioning Rock & Hawk.