Nature Friday - Paradise Ducks

After a day of bleak weather yesterday we went into town today for supplies and on crossing Twidles Island on our way out of here we encountered Mummy Shelduck with 7 little duckles toddling and occasionally paddling their way along the roadside.




(Mr B’s photos - he was driving and they were on his side).




Manuka
Bees
Manuka + Bees = Manuka Honey

I've no idea whether bees go on digitalis but if they did that would be scary honey.

And this month's flower of the NZ native bush: Libertia


They are quite small in fact but really stand out - almost glowing - in the fairly relentlessly green surroundings.

Comments

  1. gz14 November 2025 at 21:53

    Mmmmmanuka honey 😎❤️ ....never seen Libertia.. possibly not been in the right place early enough in the year.

    Paradise ducks do walk a lot don't they .. even when the ducklings have grown

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    Replies
    1. Tigger's Mum14 November 2025 at 23:22

      you will see Libertia a lot in municiple plantings - very popular in perennial flower and grass landscaping arrangements.

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    2. gz16 November 2025 at 07:01

      I will have to keep an eye out for it next time!

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  2. JayCee14 November 2025 at 22:47

    Hmm..foxglove honey. Perhaps not ...

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    Replies
    1. Tigger's Mum14 November 2025 at 23:22

      I think pollunation of foxgloves is a bumblebee job.

      Delete
  3. thelma14 November 2025 at 23:17

    So is there a specific Manuka bee for the Manuka shrubs. And is it really the cure for all ills considering it so expensive.

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    Replies
    1. Tigger's Mum14 November 2025 at 23:20

      Apis melis (honey bee - the one we all know and love) - can make honey out of virually any nectar producing flower. As for the medicinal claims I have no idea but suspect there is a salt grain of science and a lot of psuedo-science or pure snake-oil salesmanship.

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  4. MadSnapper n Beau14 November 2025 at 23:21

    ride in the car, precious ducks waddling, gorgeous flowers, what could be better. color me jealous... all we got was a ride to doctor office. phooey

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  5. jabblog15 November 2025 at 01:54

    I wonder if all the shelducklings made it safely to wherever they were going. They don't seem to stay very closely together.
    Libertia flowers remind me of Tradescantia.

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  6. Yamini MacLean15 November 2025 at 02:04

    Hari OM
    Honey Bees do feed on foxglove nectar, but it would take them to be dedicated to that one plant only, and for us to consume gallons of the produced honey to have the slightest risk of toxic effect. As long as there are plenty other blossoms around, there would be no concern at all, and mostly, as you note, it's the Bumblers that favour the tubular flowers.

    Ducklings always bring a smile, don't they? Cute shots. YAM xx

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  7. local alien15 November 2025 at 04:40

    Look at that scenery and the display of flowers. You live in a lovely part of the country

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  8. Juno15 November 2025 at 12:13

    What a pawfect day to see mama and her duckings, beautiful flowers and Manuka bee-All in one day!! Lovely! Juno and mum

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  9. angela15 November 2025 at 22:17

    Honey made with digitalis would be great for those with heart conditions.
    Your definitely living in a beautiful country.

    ReplyDelete

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