The ridiculously tame chipmunk in my backyard may just be the weirdest chipmunk I have ever seen. Today she was forging away in the grass when one of the ducks joined in and literally walked all overtop of her. She didn't even acknowledge the towering duck's existence as the duck reached all over and around the chipmunk to get a share of whatever it was she was eating. The squirrels aren't so willing to share with the ducks, however, but they are a bit cautious when trying to assert their dominance over the ducks. The ducks usually retreat and give way to the squirrels. On the other hand, the crows sometimes presist in sharing space with the irritable squirrels and sometimes they end up tumbling over each other in a fight over space, which always ends with the crows flying away terrified. The squirrels will also chase off the chipmunk. I guess we know is in charge in my backyard!
 
I wanted to get a shot of the duck literally on top of the chipmunk, but as soon as I opened the door the duck started walking away towards the water. I was lucky just to get this one shot of the two in the frame because a second later the duck was gone, joining his American Black Duck mate en route to the water.
 
This is the third year in a row that a female American Black Duck has shown up in my backyard with a male Mallard. The female is likely the same individual, but the male could be a different individual. Geese mate for life while ducks choose a new mate every year. The female returns to the same spot year after year and the male tags along wherever she goes. But sometimes female ducks end up choosing the same mate in subsequent years, so this male Mallard could be a return visitor.