Notes from the Swamp

We're under attack by Blind Mosquitos again tonight.

They're actually not blind and not even mosquitos, but that's what they're called. Actually an aquatic midge, looks exactly like a skeeter but doesn't bite and doesnt carry any disease.
But they swarm at night in the millions, usually right at sunset and before dawn. I'm talking clouds of the little fuckers.
They're attracted to light, so we have all lights out, including my white light cameras. Only light in the house is my computer screen and Mrs Bigredfish and her TV.

The one side of our house faces the weak ass street light, so it will be covered in them in the morning. Hose and broom take care of them, but like mosquitos, you need to get them off the siding before they stain it over days/weeks

Adults live 3-5 days so I suspect we'll have another few nights of this...
Here's a shot of the canal, they're swarming the neighbors dock that has a 30 watt light on it... video doesnt even do them justice



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Still waiting on ducklings.

Gotta be close. She's in and out of the box a lot more and swims around close by for anywhere from 15-45 minutes then back in the box.

I have to believe they're hatched and she's feeding them and urging them to take the leap.


(*Man I wish they made this thing in 4MP with 1/1.8 sensors....sigh..)

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I assume most of us sleep with a firearm at arms length, but there's no substitute for a heads up warning giving you that extra 30+ seconds to get your shit together at zero dark thirty...

Perimeter sensors people, perimeter sensors!...;)
 
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And Finally after 6 weeks of watching, we have Ducklings!

3 clips

#1- Mom pokes her head out like she does 3-5 times per day. She usually does this for 30 seconds or more and then flys off to get food.
But this time she surveys the situation and backs into the box. She does this 3 times. Thats when I knew something was happening this morning.

#2- Seven ducklings take their first leap of faith
Note: Duckling #1&2 make an attempt to open/use their wings, #3-5 pretty much belly flop, #6 looks like he lost his footing and simply drops like he took one step too far. Pretty sure you can see him saying "oh shit!" on the way down
The last #7 is quite a bit behind the others, like he was asleep and woke to an empty nest and then raced to get out.

#3- The landing zone.


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View attachment LandingZone-192.168.1.110_ch13_20260630084246_20260630084416.mp4
 
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