Eclipse Male Wood Ducks

A trio of nonbreeding male Wood Ducks floats in the Horicon Marsh on a 70 degree calm Friday evening.  Wood Ducks nest from April to August. Drakes begin molting their colorful breeding plumage in July, but retain their white throat, colorful bill, and distinctive red eye.

Molting birds are flightless for 3-4 weeks. Handsome new breeding plumage will develop later this summer.

Juvenile Pied-billed Grebe

The striped juvenile Pied-billed Grebe practices diving amid short marsh reeds. Pied-billed Grebes nest from April until October and may have two broods.

Adult Pied-billed Grebe

The adult Pied-billed Grebe stays within a few yards of its young and still has its breeding plumage. The male and female look alike. They can dive up to 20 feet and stay submerged for up to 30 seconds.

Mallard with Chicks

Mallards have a long nesting season from February to September. They typically have one brood.  The ducklings are following their mother’s example, skimming the surface of the water for insects and vegetation.

Muskrat Tracks

A muskrat has been busy walking through the mud that is present along Highway 49 since the water level has been lowered. Dragging his tail creates the line between the tracks.