Several years ago we had a pretty rainy, early spring.  And while it’s not ucommon to see some unique birds in the backyard from time to time…think Red-Shouldered Hawk, or a Western Tanager as examples. 

But one morning I looked out and saw another unusual visitor…a drake Wood Duck.  He was high in the trees, calling out with little squeals and chirps, as they tend to do in the spring…and sure enough a female came in and landed nearby.  I was shocked because I didn’t think we had any water nearby at all. 

He was intensely interested in an old dead tree with a lot of holes and cavities in it.  Ultimately this pair moved on to someplace else, no doubt with a bit more water to work with…there is a nice little pond about a 1/2 mile up the road, which was far better suited to support their young family.  I hope they had a good spring.