Shortly after moving to Parrish, I was surprised to find a large flock of these ducks that would invade our old neighborhood eating the bird seed. Large flock as in anywhere from thirty to forty ducks. Doing some cursory research resulted in finding the Wikipedia article.

They’ve been showing up at Ward Manor for the last several months – most likely drawn by the cornucopia of bird seed we set out for the birds. They’ll come pretty close to the house.

What gets me is their bright orange beaks with that gray spot that looks like the paint’s worn off.

The other thing that surprises me about them? They don’t really quack like the mallards.