August 3, 2018
I just needed a time out so I took the afternoon off and went to the Tautphaus park Zoo (https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/1230/Zoo) in Idaho Falls. There was a LOT of smoke in the air from the wildfires so I was unable to stay long. AND I found this pond of wild waterfowl with the cutest male ruddy duck. I think I shall name him Marley. Every time I left the pond I would find myself wandering back to it. I didn’t see many wild animals or much of the zoo at all. But I sure got to study the Marley the Ruddy duck.
Sleeping Ruddy duck
American white pelicans 
Marley still asleep
Turtle 
Alert Marley
Female Ruddy duck 
Female Ruddy duck preening
Female Ruddy duck posing 
Marley the Ruddy duck with his leg tucked up but not under his wing
Female red breasted merganser 
Hello there
Resting American white pelican 
And back to the perky Ruddy
African penguin 
Marley the male Ruddy duck with all kinds of female & juvenile ducks
Peacock 
Reflective Ruddy
Red breasted nuthatch 
Marley with ripples
Marley with an itch 
Sleeping tiger
Marley looking at his reflection 
Ruddy drinking
House sparrow 
Flexible ruddy
Black capped chickadee 
Bye bye Marley
It took me a long time to go through the photos from this day. I’m sure you know why.
— Jenny
BlueRavenBirders 