Probably Gone from Siouxland, Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, North Sioux City, SD

A wood duck shepherds its ducklings away from the shaded shoreline as a walker passes by on a trail at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota Monday, July 18, 2022. The animals were resting in the morning shade until disturbed by the passer-by. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

As the temperatures in Siouxland cool down and begins feeling more like fall, I begin to wonder about the little ducklings and their parents and whether they have yet left the area for other climes or will be sticking around. While out walking at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve over the summer I came across this wood duck and noticed it becoming a bit animated. It wasn’t until I saw its ducklings gather and then heading out for the farther shore did I realize it was the early warning system in place to shepherd the little ones to safety.

It seems this year I have not come across as many young birds as the past couple of years. But then maybe I am just visiting too many other places now that life is somewhat normal again and vaccines are available. And although I have seen some birds migrating overhead, it doesn’t seem like I have seen many making their way. It’s been a odd here in Sioxland for weather and apparently it still is.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A wood duck begins moving on a log to alert its ducklings nearby as a walker passes by on a trail at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota Monday, July 18, 2022. The animals were resting in the morning shade until disturbed by the passer-by. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Wood duck ducklings leave a shaded area as a walker passes by on a trail at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota Monday, July 18, 2022. The animals were resting in the morning shade until disturbed by the passer-by. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)