One Pissed Off Duck

[Barbara Ponder]

At the park today I was enjoying the beautiful 80 degree weather with a friend. We ran across this duck family. Kids were feeding the ducks and the way TOO FRIENDLY nutria when all of the sudden all HELL broke lose. I had just enough time to focus and shoot and of course they are not the best shots but certainly tell the story.





Happy little family



Mama or Daddy letting nutria know he was in trouble



and the chase begins



and continues



Nutria ends up flipping into the lake and needless to say kept swimming for the opposite shore.

[Stagecoach]

Really great series Barbara you did well to capture the event !

[Barbara Ponder]

Thanks Grahame!

[ST1]

You managed to capture the action well Barbara, well done.

[Barbara Ponder]

Thanks Peter!

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[IzzieK]

I love your story so much so the photos that accompanied that event...even though I have to google what a nutria is. I thought at first it was groundhog or something but my!!!! -- that was a huge beast!!!

[Barbara Ponder]

Thanks Izzie.

[Barbara Ponder]

Thanks John!

[Suzan J]

Hi Barbara: I really like the first shot. It has a real family sentiment to it and if ducks can truly be happy, it shows in their faces. The accompanying shots tell a great story where a nice family outing was spoiled by a rodent. Incidentally, nutria look to me like a beaver without the flat tail. I don't know if we have these up here or not.

[Texas Dave]

Great series.

The last one is really comical to me with the nutria looking like something between a Ratatouilli movie character and a heisman trophy pose. Fun stuff!

[NorthernFocus]

That's an awesome set, Barbara. But you left off the second half of the critters name. When I lived down there everyone called them nutra rats. It's interesting that it ran from the duck. Must have been taken by surprise. They have quite the reputation for inflicting serious injuries on dogs.

Suzan they may not have made it as far north as you. I know they are in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. Surely they've crept across into BC by now. But they may not make it where water freezes over in winter.

[Katlouise23]

Hey Barbara These shots are really good! Really caught the action of the chase It's all in his face & stance!!

[Brownbear]

Thanks for sharing. Great and truly memorable captures of the moment. I'm really fond of the 1st image and the 3rd without the end of the other critter.

[Barbara Ponder]

Hi Barbara: I really like the first shot. It has a real family sentiment to it and if ducks can truly be happy, it shows in their faces. The accompanying shots tell a great story where a nice family outing was spoiled by a rodent. Incidentally, nutria look to me like a beaver without the flat tail. I don't know if we have these up here or not.

Thanks! They almost posed for the family portrait , Nutria are part of the rodent family cute till you see the rat tail!

[Barbara Ponder]

Great series.

The last one is really comical to me with the nutria looking like something between a Ratatouilli movie character and a heisman trophy pose. Fun stuff!

Thanks David, it was a funny to watch I just wish I had been a little faster getting the camera going, oh well maybe next time

[Barbara Ponder]

That's an awesome set
When I lived down there everyone called them nutra rats.
It's interesting that it ran from the duck.

Dan, Yes it is definitely in the rat family. The first time I saw one was in the water and I thought how cute until he came out and I saw that tail! I did a little research on the goose, not duck as I thought before. They are Egyptian Geese and apparently EXTREMELY protective of the family unit. These were shot at Herman park and I would guess that they somehow escaped from the zoo next door. Not sure how else they would have gotten there.

[Barbara Ponder]

Hey Barbara These shots are really good! Really caught the action of the chase It's all in his face & stance!!

Thanks Kathleen!

[ied]

Beautiful series Barbara. How interesting that you happened along ( equipped) for the
unexpected action. Image one is my favourite, such a peaceful scene with papa standing guard.
Irene

[rpcrowe]

I love ducks and geese. This series is why! Nice captures of a fast moving event...