OBSERVATIONS: --Our first full family sunset trip to the pond. We circumnavigated, paying extra attention to the canal banks, as we expected the ducklings to be there. --Benjamin finally spotted the ducklings on the northwest bank of the pond, a place we hadn't seen them before. --The two females were standing guard very close to the ducklings.
OBSERVATIONS: --Saw two females on canal bank. --Looked for mama and ducklings on canal bank where we'd seen them last few times. Suspected they were there, because the muscovies were on guard...but did not see them.--Circumnavigated pond, then once again, saw mama and ducks climbing down bank into canal. Where were they hiding? Mama is an expert camouflager. --Morning feeding. I think the canal has been a healthy food source for the ducklings; they appear to have grown overnight! The injury to the one duckling's left leg is improving. --Played at park for a bit, circumnavigated pond again, and headed home westward alongside canal; spotted mama and five babies sleeping, nestled, on north side of canal.
OBSERVATIONS: --Once again, Banyan was the ultimate duck spotter. Mama and her five ducklings were in a great hiding place on the north bank of the canal leading to the pond's east bank. --Ducks slept for a few minutes keeping a cautious eye on us. Mama and one duckling snuggled up higher on the bank, four other ducklings, including one with hurt left leg, below. --Ducklings periodically panted due to heat. --Duckling with hurt left leg awkwardly slips into the pond. --Other four ducklings and mama followed, approaching Banyan and Benjamin for food. They threw grass, which was sampled several times before load reproachful quacks from mama.
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.
--The two females were standing guard very close to the ducklings.
--Circumnavigated pond, then once again, saw mama and ducks climbing down bank into canal. Where were they hiding? Mama is an expert camouflager.
--Morning feeding. I think the canal has been a healthy food source for the ducklings; they appear to have grown overnight! The injury to the one duckling's left leg is improving.
--Played at park for a bit, circumnavigated pond again, and headed home westward alongside canal; spotted mama and five babies sleeping, nestled, on north side of canal.
OBSERVATIONS:
--Other four ducklings and mama followed, approaching Banyan and Benjamin for food. They threw grass, which was sampled several times before load reproachful quacks from mama.
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.
