July 31, 2026
The Limits and Damage of Rat Poison
Chicago's watchdog agency just released a report detailing the failures of the city's rat-control efforts-- beginning with the over-reliance on…
Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
July 28, 2008
CELERY FARM: Monday morning mystery 1
This duck was seen at Phairs Pond on Sunday, and touched off a major identification effort.
Any guesses?
2 comments
-
Ah, it’s the fearsome Pileated Puddle Duck, having just won a grueling mud wrestling contest and standing on the back of a submerged American Alligator. (Sorry–feeling kinda crazy–it’s almost midnight and I’m trying to get a bunch of dang calendar photos ready to deliver tomorrow!)
-
The overall structure looks like a hooded merganser, but I’m not sure that the plumage matches completely.
Leave your comment
Related Post
July 22, 2026
A New Facebook Campaign
I recently started a new Facebook page for Protect Our Wildlife and Pets, an ad hoc coalition formed to address…
July 22, 2026
What Happens When Rat Poison Is Unregulated
Wikimedia: Hardyplants Through a quirk, Washington, D.C., is exempt from the restrictions on rat poisons that prevent their sale…
July 13, 2026
Jerry Barrack’s Celery Farm Pix
My buddy Jerry Barrack was the first photographer to make The Celery Farm Nature Preserve his home base -- back…
2 comments
Tom Burr
Ah, it’s the fearsome Pileated Puddle Duck, having just won a grueling mud wrestling contest and standing on the back of a submerged American Alligator. (Sorry–feeling kinda crazy–it’s almost midnight and I’m trying to get a bunch of dang calendar photos ready to deliver tomorrow!)
John
The overall structure looks like a hooded merganser, but I’m not sure that the plumage matches completely.