Just about the time you think you have seen it all – that nothing can surprise you…….. you see this!
These photos came from Matt F. in Cottage Grove, MN. He and his wife live in a neighborhood that is close to a good-sized pond and natural
area that is full of wildlife. Each spring, Mallards can be found in their neighborhood. Many of these ducks are looking for nest sites – and they do nest throughout this neighborhood: under shrubs, on top of or behind wood piles, up against the sides of houses. But their favorite past-time seems to be rooftop sitting and walking.
I have done a lot of birding over the years, but have never seen Mallards in a neighborhood, sitting on rooftops day after day after day – just enjoying the view. And I am curious as to how this started. Who was the first Mallard that did this and how did this Mallard come to the decision to sit on a roof? Obviously this first Mallard must have felt safe up there and was comfortable. Did this duck then communicate this to the other Mallards? ‘Quack’ about this? Did this duck pass this on to its youngsters? Because this is not just one duck sitting on one roof but many ducks sitting on a lot of roofs – spring after spring. We have Mallards here on our small lake and our lake is in a small neighborhood. I have never seen a Mallard on any roof. Life is endlessly interesting, isn’t it? Especially when you take time to simply relax. observe, and ponder its mysteries……….