Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

The Eyes Have It

And necks!
Closed eyelids, but it looks like this Mallard is still paying attention.
Katydid for lunch.

mthew

2 responses to “The Eyes Have It”

  1. Chuck McAlexander

    Ducks frequently do hemispherical sleeping but this one is apparently seeing all he wants to see through both of it’s the nictating membranes, a.k.a third eyelids. They are translucent and presumably shapes and motion are detectable enough when detail isn’t required. Hemispherical sleep allows the duck to close one eye and shut down half it’s brain for sleep while being completely awake and alert in the other half. Then, they switch sides to rest the other half. Some other species also have this ability, even while flying.

    Reply
  2. Paul Lamb

    Nice post!

    Reply

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