Today's lesson seemed to clearly be :Exploration! The babies scattered to every part of the yard, even venturing up to our back door! Several we're being quite independent, but I suspect that the mother was accounting for everyone. Sadly, when we counted in the late morning, one was missing, and from upstairs, Ken saw it in the pool. We'd seen nothing to account for the sudden death, but we gave it a proper burial. Mid-afternoon, the crows were carrying on, and I went out just as a hawk tried to swoop onto the pool, but the crows chased him across neighboring yards. Raising the children to adulthood will be a challenge, but we'll assist in the background if we can! I'm happy that there's a level of comfort when I sit by the pool with my camera, so I can try for the good quality, window-pane free!
Oh Louise! A great capture! What a cool experience! They are such fun and sweet creatures. Sad to hear that one was lost. I would probably be sitting out by the pool as lifeguard and on hawk guard endlessly.
@gardenfolk I said to Ken, "I'm the helicopter mom's Helicopter mom!" We're two of a kind that way CC! I keep eyes and ears open from where I sit and can be out there in a flash!
Fabulous photo of the family...sorry to hear about the one - I know that happened here a few years ago with the mama goose and babies - 5 out of 7 made it to adulthood.
Such a priceless post. And the photo is simply wonderful. Mama picked the right place to raise her family with you as backup, Louise. I'm so sorry about the loss of one, but I suspect the remaining babies have the odds in their favor with two moms on alert.
This is such a lovely image snd narrative. I thought about your hawks the other day when you posted the first duck family photo. This series will make a lovely children’s book! 🤗
@jyokota haha...Yep! We recognize the mother duck...she and the drake (and one other pair) have come around for years!) She built her nest elsewhere in the neighborhood, but when the last was hatched, she walked them down to our yard!! It's been fascinating to watch the lessons she's clearly teaching them each day! As will happen in nature, we found one dead in the pool yesterday, and came home from a morning appointment to find two drakes and two more dead babies; having watched their actions, but not wanting to interfere, I think they drowned the two. I take it to mean they don't like her to be so preoccupied... Heather & two grands arrive Saturday and we're so excited to share their presence with the kiddos! This has truly been a joy! (I've made 2 little video clips , too... Good times!) Wish you could come join us!
holy macaroni! it's no different from the human world, predators of the same species, only the animals get their revenge; humans, not so as the criminals are even glorified. but this is a beautiful capture, showing the love of a mother for her broods and ready to take on anything to protect them. i'm so glad you're back. fun times! aces!
@summerfield Oh, you make me smile, Vikki! I'm up early (before dawn, even!) so I'm keeping an eye on the movement of the pool water as I know a drake is out there. When it looks like the babies are up, I'll run him off! You know that song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow"? Well, I'm trying to help there!
(You`re supose to leave the tulips on the fieds. No picking allowed.)