Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Visit 3: May 11, 2010, 10:30 am

OBSERVATIONS:
--Saw one female duck alone sitting in sun. Thought it might be ducklings' mama but facial markings were different. (Curious: nesting?)
--Walked further and saw the 5 ducklings and mama resting on bank on northeast side of pond with other ducks of different varieties nearby. Muscovies quacked protectively then approached for food.--Mama appeared protective and babies curious as they approached, hoping for handouts.
--As the ducks moved north (clockwise around pond), we noticed sadly that the fifth duckling in the row has a hurt left leg.--He seemed to remain separated from the other ducks as they entered the pond.
--Mother duck watched as five babies dug their beaks voraciously in the mud for food. Mama protected them from a snapping turtle by using her body as a barrier.
--Baby duck with hurt leg swam differently than other ducks. --We left as the ducks continued their clockwise swim around the pond.

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