OBSERVATIONS: --Saw ducks on east side of main pond in a group of approximately nine; we guess that the mother and four ducklings have joined with the new group of mallards --The mother and original four swim off into a group; we notice that one of the four has a ring around his neck, so we suspect that one of the four is male and the other three are female --Mother is still protectively quacking away ibis birds --Did not see young muscovy or alligator
OBSERVATIONS: --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.
OBSERVATIONS: --Found mama duck sleeping on east side of pond, same place we found her yesterday morning. --She was 'guarded' by two sentinel ducks. Their quacking awoke her and she looked at us alertly. --We were able to sneak around a clump of bushes and watch her. Her babies were all sleeping beneath her or nestled right next to her body. --As they woke up they all began preening, imitating their mother.--Met a woman at the playground that said she'd seen the ducklings about three weeks ago, and that there were about a dozen of them then.
This is the online journal of one family (us) and our observations of another family (mallard ducks). The "ducklings" in our family are two boys, ages almost six and two. Since our oldest boy was very small, he has come to his neighborhood park to watch the ducks. This summer, we will use observations, theories, research and mindfulness to learn about these graceful animals scientifically.
OBSERVATIONS:
--Spotted both groups of four ducklings each from south pond bank (looking across at north and northeast banks).
--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.
OBSERVATIONS:
--We were able to sneak around a clump of bushes and watch her. Her babies were all sleeping beneath her or nestled right next to her body. 
--As they woke up they all began preening, imitating their mother.
--Met a woman at the playground that said she'd seen the ducklings about three weeks ago, and that there were about a dozen of them then.
