A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity The Bird Lovers Forum DAM BIRDS!

I stopped by Percy Priest Dam here in Nashville this morning. This Dam is one of the BIG TVA Lakes and Dams, and the Dam itself is about 3 - 4 miles from my house. Sure enough there was a good assortment of less common birds. Immediately I saw a Muscovy Duck. These FRIENDLY ducks were exported all over the world from their native habitat on the Amazon River Basin in Brazil. Then, I noticed the LOONS!!! A flock of about 5 - 6 Common Loons were feeding and swimming off shore. They were a little too far for good pictures but I did manage to get some fair ones of them. Chirpings and twitterings in the brush close to me, drew my attention to several Song Sparrows that were playing chase and tag through the weeds. And, of course, there were the ever present Ring-Billed Gulls hanging out with the Loons (They're Homies). PICTURES AT 11:00 (or whenever I get them ready).

I took over 75 pictures.

And here they are!......


COMMON LOONS



MUSCOVY DUCK



SIR EDMUND MUSCOVY



SONG SPARROW

gosh, the duck is beautiful.

Muscovy Ducks can get really ugly. That red skin can turn into tumor-like knots but it's not a disease, it's normal for that species of duck. They are NOT very good swimmers, lacking the oil glands that waterproof the feathers that other ducks have, so they stay close to the shore in very shallow water when they swim. They can fly quite well and nest in trees rather than on the ground. They are also very affectionate towards people. I have had many of them crawl up in my lap when I sit on the ground. This one walked up very close to me today. They are one of my favorite ducks.

Nature!!

The real find was the Loons. They just migrate through, and these were just resting up, so I was lucky to get even the poor pics that I did get.

I've never seen a loon. Except people loons.

We get Loons in Winter from Dec. to April, Sporadically. I see two to three a year.

what'd you think I meant Cindy?