howz my ducks? it' raining!

I've just been hearing the lovely sound of rain on the veranda roof.  It's been a while, in fact this has been one of the longest, dryest, hottest summers we have had!


I was a bit concerned how the splash ducks were doing out there in the yard so I just checked on them.  As I went out and walked up to the gate, Nipper, Tiny and Bossy were happily woddling along in their usuall  line formation chattering away to each other and giving me a slight tilt of the head and a brief look as they passed by on their way to the pond.  Yes, in the middle of the rain, woddling along happily and off for a midnight splash.  So, I guess they're just fine.


Noisy is still over in the far corner on her eggs so she missed out on midnight splashing.  I made a cover over the area she had chosen to make her nest so she is nicely sheltered from the weather.  She's got nice dry meadow hay all around her as well and plenty of protection from the wind.  The spot she chose is one of the most sheltered places in the yard, and the coolest place to be when it's hot.


I spent some time out there with them late in the afternoon, just hanging out, me and my ducks.  There were lots of little birds too.  Lately the New Holland Honey Eaters have been hanging out around the duck yard too.  I don't remember them being around so much like they are at present.  Usually it's the little Silver Eyes that have the greatest presense, they've been around too but the Honey Eaters with their nice yellow stripes have been flitting around as well.  I've noticed that there are lots of tiny flying insects above the yard and the Honey Eaters will perch on the branches of the mulberry tree and then dart off and make a clicking sound and then return to another branch and make exited singing sounds and then repeat over and over the same routine.  The clicking sound must be their little beaks snapping and catching the insects in mid air.  Maybe the exited singing is a victory song celibrating a successful hunting expedition!  This routine has been happening every evening just before it starts to get dark.  They certainly do good work keeping the insect life in balance!