“Have you been to Tule Marsh yet?” our new neighbours ask the moment we tell them we like birds. “The Whistling Ducks are there.”
I’ve been wanting to see the Whistling Ducks!
The Tule Marsh spans both sides of Highway 35 in Rockport, although apart from some small signs, it is hard to spot, which explains how we’ve missed it up until now.
A semi-circle drive is the parking area and then a walkway leads into an area thick with tall bushes and on the other side a boardwalk extends out and across the marsh. In the middle is a large pond teeming with Whistling Ducks.
They really are spectacular with their neon orange beaks and multi-coloured plumage.
A white ibis is also wading in the pond and the sound of songbirds fills the air, although catching a glimpse of the little ones is difficult as the trees here are quite lush already.
I do manage to capture an image of this catbird (a first for me), and I also spot a little yellow bird with a dark hood-like head, but he ducks out of sight faster than I can focus.
Across the road is another parking area with further boardwalks also spanning a pond, as well as a hiking/ biking trail through a wooded area. I get a picture of a mockingbird singing joyfully. Something rustles in the bushes nearby and not sure whether to be frightened or excited, I ready my camera. A furry orange head peeks out – a tabby cat. Seems we aren’t the only ones looking for birds.
More Whistling Ducks line up along the water’s edge here. A Tricolored Heron joins the group at the top. Notice how much greener everything is looking, a sure sign that Spring is here.
My favourite shot of the day is this one. If I wasn’t so tired from our outing, I’d think of something witty to say about it:
Maybe you can help me out.
One Woman's Quest II 
Great shots, VJ.
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Thank LuAnne.
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Treat to eyes V.J.
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🙏☺️
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I am so envious. I have never seen these stunning Whistling Ducks.
They may be slightly conceited though–that last photo could carry the caption, “Let’s show him the cold shoulder.” 🙂
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Ha ha – I like that one. And earlier an ibis had approached a pair of the ducks and was sent packing. You could be on to something.
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Maybe their beauty is going to their heads.
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That’s likely it, lol
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Love the beaks. Looks like they are getting their marching orders from the drill sergeant in that last picture!
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Ha ha – doesn’t it! So funny.
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Wow, that would be interesting to hear–“whistling” ducks 🙂
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Out of this world, lol.
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🙂 🙂
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I didn’t know about whistling ducks! Great pics. Whatever they’re all looking at in final shot, I’m taken with the one duck choosing to stand beside the odd fellow (egret) rather than stand with the crowd (peers) – nothing witty there, but it makes me smile.
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Whistling Ducks are funny and the noise they make (a whistling) is fantastic, although they were all quiet this day. We don’t have them at home.
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So much fun in nature… Love the shots you got. The last one… “Don’t be that guy!”
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Ha ha ha! Good one. Thanks.
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Great read
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Thank you.
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