When exploring the Trinity Duck Pond, I had a blast relaxing and watching the ducks easily swim around the pond. I went with a few friends last week, and we discussed how majestic and extraordinary ducks are. As we arrived on a hot and sunny day, many ducks swayed along the water and quacked endlessly.
The pond is shaped in an oval manner with a huge fountain that raises water high in the air and sprinkles water across the pond when the wind blows. People can walk around the pond as there is a parking lot on one side, and if you cross the bridge over the water, you can spot a playground area for children and pets.
Some of the ducks sit outside of the water, resting their legs. We even spotted a giant mother duck protecting her eggs outside the pond. I was able to snap a photo without disturbing her. She was beautiful with streaks of brown and white with a thick black beak. I found it interesting that her beak was curved instead of flat, which makes me think she might not be a Mallard. After researching, I think she is a Blue Morph Snow Goose because of her black feathers on top and white underbelly. She looked as fluffy as a cloud. My research also suggested that these geese travel to the South during the fall and winter, therefore adding to my hypothesis of the bird's identity.
Other birds that coexisted with the Snow Goose were Mallards, Canadian Geese, and the Common Merganser. Turtles were also present in the water but extremely rare compared to all the geese. I was delighted walking along this duck pond because I enjoyed seeing various birds in one area. This is the first time I have seen this many ducks in one location in Texas. I lived on the East Coast a few years ago, where duck ponds like this were present in every neighborhood. While exiting the bridge to get to the opposite side of the pond, squirrels scurried up the tall trees. The trees surrounding the duck pond were tall and old, providing so much shade for my friends and me. I realized how this duck pond area functions as a complete ecosystem in every direction you look.
Other birds that coexisted with the Snow Goose were Mallards, Canadian Geese, and the Common Merganser. Turtles were also present in the water but extremely rare compared to all the geese. I was delighted walking along this duck pond because I enjoyed seeing various birds in one area. This is the first time I have seen this many ducks in one location in Texas. I lived on the East Coast a few years ago, where duck ponds like this were present in every neighborhood. While exiting the bridge to get to the opposite side of the pond, squirrels scurried up the tall trees. The trees surrounding the duck pond were tall and old, providing so much shade for my friends and me. I realized how this duck pond area functions as a complete ecosystem in every direction you look.
The nature of the Trinity Duck Pond is the asset that makes this area beautiful. I valued being in the vicinity of an oasis for the ducks. I loved walking around and seeing the geese travel as a unit in the water. Geese are social creatures, like humans, in that they move and connect with others quickly to feel comfortable in the face of humans. This acceptance of seeing ourselves in other animals reminds me of one of the Mary Oliver poems I read, Can You Imagine? I think back to how Oliver has this sense of comparing human activities and actions to other species of animals. Using her tactic now, I can see how geese have various personalities, likes and dislikes, and feelings. Monitoring the geese is almost a reflection of the human experience.
Duck ponds and the animals that inhabit them play an essential role in our community. Having a duck pond to go to is vital as we can view how other animals live, interact, and appreciate the world we all live in. I never knew how special it is to have a community duck pond until visiting because many of us don't take the time to appreciate the things that were naturally given to us. Duck ponds serve as a place to understand our nature on a deeper level and provide a space for humans to reflect and grow.
I want to come back to the Trinity Duck Pond and participate in a community clean-up event, as one section of the pond was dirty and filled with trash from humans. Joining a trash pick or even creating an event myself would benefit the community around the pond. I have seen many cans, paper, and other trash that can harm the animals and pollute the water and air. Anything to help preserve the natural nature and animals should be a community effort.
In conclusion, I had a fantastic time with my friends as we spent hours watching, documenting, and discussing the importance of ducks/ geese and their impact on our community. I love participating in my nature exploration to evaluate what I have seen, heard and understood after this walk through the Trinity Duck Pond. I learned the importance of spending time in nature by reflecting upon yourself.
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