This Merganser mother has 15!! babies. Although some Mergansers gather lost orphans, these appear to be all hers. She lives on a lake so she is not apt to lose or gather babies because of swift waters. But these ducklings would make a tasty dinner for eagles, osprey, bass or pike, which are all present at this particular lake. That's why I nominate her for Mother of the Year - she has managed to keep her 15 babies safe despite such high odds against her.
