God Speed, Little Ducks

Hideaway Pond has been a busy place during the past two days. We’ve wakened to blue skies each morning. A cold front has pushed a few bright white fair weather clouds into the neighborhood. A light golden swirl of pollen has been blown to one end of the pond by a gentle breeze. And into the air. Causing copious sneezing and watering of eyes by my lovely bride. However, it hasn’t dimmed the reflection in the pond of the wild irises that have only recently come into full bloom.

A beautiful four point buck sauntered from the woods, past the ledge and on into the brush across the road last evening. However, like many members of our critter population, it seemed to materialize out of nowhere. And was then gone. Gone before we could lay a lens on him,

Such was the case with the bear that ran through the yard, past the ledge and into the adjacent woods this morning. Interrupted breakfast, by the way. Our Hideaway critters are not well schooled in the social graces.

And as I type this, our four pointer has suddenly materialized on a grassy point at the back of the pond. Once again, his velveted majesty is too far away and obscured by trees to provide a decent photograph. Cursed cervidaens.

OK, I know you’re dying to know. And some have asked. So here goes.

Deer antler is one of the fastest growing materials in the animal world. After rutting season, testosterone decreases and melatonin increases. The antlers become dry, brittle and drop off. Often causing a severe lack of self esteem in the affected buck. As days grow longer, it kicks off an increase in testosterone and growth of the antlers. Velvet contains numerous blood vessels which feed nutrients to the antlers. This starts the growth cycle again. When the antlers have nearly completed growth by August, the velvet dries and drops or is rubbed off. And the affected buck regains self respect.

So there you have it. OK. I know. You didn’t ask. But if you see an antlerless buck in the woods this coming August, please be kind.

Sunset. And to make my original point, two beautiful tiny wood ducks have just landed in the pond. Being tree dwellers, they’ll probably find a cozy hole in an old pine and spend the night. They’ll head north in very early morning. The rising sun will light their way. God speed, little ducks. God speed..

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