I’m behind on developing images, Ellen has previously published some great versions of this encounter. Click here to view at PassingByPhoto.com.

It’s good that I’m behind. The last few Whistling Duck articles I have mentioned how they are not common here. HA !

Recently I found out the exact opposite. The rice fields down the dirt road from here were filled with Whistlers a few days after this shoot. More than I had seen the last few years combined, a lot more.

This duck had taken over a Wood Duck nesting box in a swamp. The state placed these boxes, surrounded by swamp water, and Whistlers have moved in.

She wasn’t sure if she should stay or go. So instead hung half out of the box undecided.

The longer she watched the more shots I took thinking I would get an in flight photo.

She stayed right there of course.

A second duck, her mate I assume, had been watching the whole thing but I was too busy with the nest box to notice.

I guess we can say it’s official now.  Black-bellied Whistling Ducks have expanded their range. Cornell has a new map that shows the Lowcountry as the new northern most habitat.

Climate change is pushing many new tropical species here.