WOOD DUCKS AND COLORED LEAVES

      The leaves of black gum, red maple and pin oak trees, along the shores of ponds and creeks in southeastern Pennsylvania, turn strikingly red in fall.  And the foliage of silver maples and shag-bark hickories in those same habitats are lovely yellows in autumn.  Some of those trees' limbs droop low over and into the water along some of those shorelines, providing shaded shelter that fall gatherings of wood ducks hide under until they speed south to avoid the northern winter.

     After raising ducklings in summer, both genders of adult wood ducks have beautiful feathering through autumn, winter and spring.  Drakes have lovely colors and patterns that attract mates, while hen woodies have plain, but attractive dress that camouflages them.  The beauties of autumn foliage and wood duck plumages together are breathtaking.

     Wood ducks are wary and quick to slip under cover, or take flight, while calling loudly in alarm to others of their kind.  They hide in the shadows of red and yellow foliage on branches extending low over water bordering tree-lined shorelines.  Woodies have dark feathering and blend into the shadows of low-drooping branches, making those ducks easily overlooked and hard to spot. 

     Little groups of handsome wood ducks swimming about on water under limbs bearing red and yellow fall foliage reaching over the water are a spectacular sight during lovely autumn days.  The magnificent woodies also perch in rows on those low limbs that have colorful leaves, and logs fallen into the water. 

     The still water reflects the colored foliage above, doubling its beauty.  And falling red and yellow leaves, and those floating on the water, add to the combined beauties of the scenery and the wood ducks in it, making them both unforgettable.  What a treat to see them!

     Readers can enjoy the combined beauties of autumn leaves and wood ducks in fall, if they are in the right place at the right time in the eastern United States.

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