[ValleyNature] Kingston, Phinney's Pond, Port George, Margaretsville

[Patrick Giffin]

4APR09 1800-1945

Hi:

Enroute to see the Yadong Guan Trio at The Evergreen Theatre in Margaretsville we saw a pair of Wood Ducks at Phinney's Pond, they had chosen a small area of open water on the north side of the pond. The remainder of the pond is completely covered in ice.

At Port George the temperature was pleasant, little wind, great visibility, no snow near shore:

2 pairs of Harlequins about 0.5km apart, 3 Red-necked Grebes, 2 Common Eider, 2 Brant, "Pale Bellied", on shore, don't recall seeing them in such beautiful condition, for that matter I don't recall seeing Brant other than at Brier Is.

Margaretsville Ducks Unlimited Pond, 1pr Wood Ducks, 2 pr, Hooded Merganser, pr Mallards, 5 Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 mature, Bald Eagle did a low, slow, overflight continued south, 

Barbara saw a single Bat over the pond.

The Yadong Guan Trio's performance filled the theatre will beautiful, exquisite, sound. There were no microphones, no artificial, amplification. The audience did their best to show their appreciation, truly a precious 90 minute, life-experience.

Listening and watching the performers, I couldn't help thinking of the beautifully, unique, Harlequin and Wood Duck pairs; Yadong Guan wore a traditional gown that contained many of the same colours displayed by the male ducks, the cellist Christophe Lobel and guitarist David Jacques wore very conservative street clothes which were the reverse of how the male and female ducks presented themselves.

At Phinney's Pond the Wood Duck pr were not disturbed by the arrival of our car so we had a good look at the pair from inside the car, getting out to set up the scope instantly alerted them, the male moved slightly towards us and the female disappeared inshore under the overhanging branches, we did'nt see her again.

Cheers, Barbara and Pat

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