Today’s Wildlife Wednesday is just jam-packed with cuteness.
First some background: a week or so ago, I noticed a male Mallard duck in the area between our garage and a shrub. It was unusual to see a duck there, so I ‘crept’ around the other side of the shrub and noticed a Mama duck and could tell she was sitting on a nest.
A day or two later, she was at our side garage door for some corn, so I went around to check on her nest. I counted at least TEN eggs.
A few days later, I saw her away from the nest again, and went to look: the eggs had hatched and the nest was FULL of baby ducks! I didn’t have my phone with me then, so no picture of that.
The next time I checked a day or two later, there was no Mama duck and no babies. I was worried that a predator had gotten to the nest.
Sunday, I glanced out our bedroom window and saw ducklings swimming in the water near our yard. I grabbed my camera and some corn and headed out the door. From our window, I could tell there were several babies, and they were swimming away from our house.
I must explain that I’ve been feeding Mallards in our yard for many years, so most of them know me and come when I call them. I called, and sure enough, Mama Duck changed direction and started heading my way.
I have to say that this is one of the cutest videos I’ve ever recorded (sound up):
That was QUITE a surprise.
Just look at this sweet close-up.
Last week, I bought some cracked corn when I saw that the eggs had hatched, but I didn’t take time to grab it before I went out. Rest assured that I now have some of it by the door for next time.
Now I’m realistic enough to know that, the odds are not in favor of all of these little ones surviving to become adults. But I sure will be rooting for them.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 