Preen and Clean

Here is my follow up to my last post from the local duck pond.  
To start things off, I have selected just a few of  over two dozen shots I took of this Peking duck preening.  I was doing a little reading on preening after watching this duck, and found that preening allows the duck to distribute preening oil over all their feathers to make them water repellent.  And they align their feathers while preening.  Also, it helps them get rid of parasites. Without proper preening they can die!

Also below is a series of a mallard drake taking a bath too.  He really was flexible and would plunge really vigorously under the water.  It was like watching a kid try to submerge a beach ball....ducks are naturally buoyant so getting under the water looks like a real challenge.

Enjoy a nice old hymn to accompany all these photos!

Spreading preening oil all the way down each individual feather

Getting those hard to reach spots

YES, GOD IS GOOD

By: John H. Gurney, 1851

Yes, God is good; in earth and sky,

From ocean depths and spreading wood,

Ten thousand voices seem to cry,

"God made us all, and God is good."

Bottoms up!

The sun that keeps his trackless way

And downward pours his golden flood,

I wish that I had duck feet

Night’s sparkling hosts, all seem to say,

In accents clear, that God is good.

The merry birds prolong the strain,

Their song with every spring renewed;

And balmy air, and falling rain,

Each softly whispers, "God is good."

I hear it in the rushing breeze;

The hills that have for ages stood,

The echoing sky and roaring seas,

All swell the chorus, God is good.

Yes, God is good, all nature says,

By God’s own hand with speech endued;

And man, in louder notes of praise,

Should sing for joy that God is good.

For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,

But chiefly for our heavenly food;

Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening word,

These prompt our song, that God is good.

 

Dive!  Dive!