ACFL North 03.16.2023

Little Cranberry Lake, Big Beaver Pond, Little Beaver Pond, Wildlife

It was an interesting day wandering around in the ACFL looking for wildlife. Some trails are in steep terrain and are a workout if you’re not used to hiking. The forest was active, and the wetlands were busy. I found a sizable number of birds active on the waters. The trails were noticeably quiet, and the wildlife was doing all the taking. 

Douglas Squirrel

The Douglas Squirrel is ridiculously cute and can be found everywhere in the ACFL. Many use their natural instincts of running about looking for food and gathering what they need. Some, however, are extremely interested in seeing you have food for them.

Please do not feed the wildlife in the ACFL.

Ring-necked Duck

The ring-necked duck is a small diving duck that is here year-round in the Pacific Northwest. It is a common duck and can be found in a variety of habitats, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes.

The male ring-necked duck is a striking bird, with a blackish purple head, dark back, and chest with light gray sides. The female is brown, with a white cheek patch and a white eyeing. They both have a very distinctive white strip on the front of their beck. The male has a white stripe at the bridge of his beck.

Ring-necked ducks are excellent divers, and they spend most of their time underwater, feeding on aquatic insects, invertebrates, aquatic vegetation, snails, leeches, and mollusks.

Ring-necked ducks are social birds, and they often form flocks with other diving ducks, such as scaup and buffleheads. They are also known to associate with dabbling ducks, such as mallards and pintails.
Ring-necked ducks typically build their nests on floating vegetation supplying a safe environment. The female lays 8-12 eggs, which she incubates for about 25 days.

They are bottom feeders and vulnerable to lead poising from hunters’ spent shot or fishing split shot weights. That is why the ACFL plays a particularly important part in helping to protect them. Please be careful when using fishing weights on your line.

Ring-necked ducks are not currently considered to be a threatened or endangered species.

Mallard Pair, Female and Male

A beautiful pair of Mallar’s preening together. 

More about Mallards Preening

Mallard, Male, Preening  

Mallard, Female 

Wood Duck

Nature’s Kaleidoscope!
I located this fantastic Wood Duck on one of the ponds. The Wood Duck is a very colorful and beautiful bird. It is amazing that there are so many diffrent colors on this bird.

More about the Wood Duck

Canada Goose

This goose was taking a nap on a small island offshore on Little Cranberry Lake. There are several birds just relaxing and enjoying a peaceful day on the lake. 

Northern Red-legged Frog

This Northern Red-legged Frog was in a puddle on one of the old road trails. I moved it off to the side and I sent it on its way to the wetlands. 

Please be careful when out hiking this time of the year the frogs are moving about. Keep an eye on the ground as you hike, you never know what could end up under your feet.

Little Cranberry Lake, Big Beaver Pond, Little Beaver Pod, Anacortes

03.16.2023

All images are © Chris LeBoutillier

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