Whistlers muscle out egrets

If you were to walk around Audubon Park these days, you'd note a hellava lotta ducks. Not yer usual mallard ducks nor the domesticated white ones. These are whistling ducks with bright orange beaks - kinda cute but noisy!

Approaching the lagoon, the sound is undeniable. Whistling from every direction.

I'm not sure what happened to the thousands of egrets that make their summer home there. Maybe they're just waiting to edge their way back in because nesting time is near.

One gorgeous white swan was among the ducks, gliding through the flocks, which parted making way for the queen to pass.

It's Thanksgiving, but feels like Easter

Who knew ducklings could hatch in the fall? Seems like New Orleans' weather is temperate enough for the little ones to find food, learn from mom and stay warm at night. And this isn't the only group of ducklings in Audubon Park lagoon on Thanksgiving Day.



This flock was richly fed by a gaggle of kids armed with bagsful of corn kernals. The ducklings came right up the edge of the water, completely without fear. The mother duck didn't seem worried at all about her 10 youngsters' safety. There are no predators in Audubon Park nor hunters with guns or bows and arrows.

I spoke to a dad who told me the mother duck had been somebody's pet. She couldn't keep four ducks AND dogs in her house, so she had to release her.

All seem quite content and doing well!