--Saw two females on south canal bank as we approached pond.
--Spotted both groups of four ducklings each from south pond bank (looking across at north and northeast banks).--Approached mother mallard and four ducklings, all healthy, on northwest bank.
--Four ducklings are getting distinct markings and are much more aware of oncoming visitors!
--Mama and ducklings stopped to preen and then crossed 'Alligator Creek' into safer cover.
--Spotted newly released group of four older ducklings swimming from north pond bank to northeast pond bank. Saw alligator in middle of pond. No imminent danger to ducks.
--Approached new group of four looking for food on northwest pond bank.
--Still curious as to the relationship of the one Muscovy to the three mallards. All appear to be about the same age, all a bit older than the original group of ducklings we've been observing.
Cute! We're having an explosion of ducklings in the lake near my home, but we don't have gators. Most of the time, we have huge bass that get the youngest ducklings, also night herons, turtles and hawks, too.
ReplyDeleteRight now, our lake is being loaded for road repairs, so all the ducklings over 1 week old have disappeared. Hopefully, they're just hiding.