Blue wing teal hen is finishing its molt so it can fly. Until then, it is vulnerable as it can only swim away. Loons however will feast on such birds by attacking them from below
Saskatchewan is know as the bread basket for much of the world. Peas, wheat, flax, barley, and much more are grown in mass throughout the country. Not only does this area feed much of the world (i.e. Much of the pea crop is exported to feed the population of India), its a rich habitat for waterfowl and serves as the nursery for many of the ducks in the Mississippi Flyway. Many of the young birds are oblivious to the threats that surround him. Those that will survive and soon migrate South learn that Bald Eagles are big threats. Only thing saving these birds is that the eagle must decide whether he prefers redhead, teal, coot or something else for tonight's meal. Was not long after, that we saw that the eagle had made its choice. The low temperatures this day were near freezing. In a matter of weeks, the lows of this day will be the highs of tomorrow. Soon the potholes will be frozen solid and ducks will gather in the deeper ponds like this one. No doubt the eagle knows this and will perch here nearly every day before supper time.
