Fluffy Ducklings

What did I photograph today? It's obvious really. I headed back to the pond this morning to see if I could catch sight of the ducklings. At first I couldn't! I circled the pond without any luck until,finally, I came across a female resting near the edge of the water. Something about her made me stop and look.

She sat patiently for a while. So did I. Then she moved, just a fraction but enough to confirm my suspicions…

It was time to wake the youngsters, and what a sleepy, stretchy, fluffy brood they are!

Once awake there's only one thing that little ducklings like to do. Go for a swim!

I was back there at lunchtime… and so were the ducklings. This time they were impossible to miss, playing at the edge of the pond, swimming with dad and generally getting up to all sorts of duckling adventures. The world is a very exciting place and life for the young duckling is a wonderland of exploration.

One little duckling ventured a little further than the rest and found itself at the top of the highest mountain in the land! :yikes:

There was nothing for it but to leap… and hope… and crash…

But this little duckling is built of sterner stuff than its size might suggest. And with a wriggle and a jump it was back on its feet and heading for the safety of the water 😀

Now it's not only ducks who live by the pond, and the young ducklings will soon have rivals. Not yet though. Can you guess whose eggs are these?

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. And please note that you should never risk disturbing a nesting bird or approach a nest (the parents will be nearby). The photo of the nest was taken from a very safe distance with a long lens.

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This Post Has 18 Comments

  1. cakkleberrylane

    2 Apr 2011

    "duckling adventures" 😆 Very sweet little guys!

  2. CedarFox

    2 Apr 2011

    Very cute, especially the little mountain climber guy 😀

  3. wellisteffi

    2 Apr 2011

    Oh how sweet.
    With us, I have never seen a baby duck.
    But next week I go once again to the lake.
    We'll see if has done anything. 🙂

  4. gdare

    2 Apr 2011

    Too cute :awww:

  5. anonymous

    2 Apr 2011

    Anonymous writes:

    God they are soooo cute!! — Marilyn

  6. anonymous

    3 Apr 2011

    Yusuf A writes:

    i think its some corvids nest, crow, jackdaw?

  7. Mickeyjoe-Irl

    4 Apr 2011

    Ok Words, not in a row this time but a bunch. 😆

  8. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Erwin, thanks!

  9. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Mick, a 'skittle' of ducklings perhaps?

  10. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Marilyn, my favourites are the group shots, just after they woke up! Really just too cute 😀

  11. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Lois, thanks! I think life must be so dramatic for them. All that energy, no coordination and so many strange places to explore!

  12. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Steffi, these ducklings seem quite early. Maybe yours will arrive soon.

  13. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Darko, it's a cute time of year. So many young animals to see.

  14. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Yusuf, the nest is actually a moorhen's nest, hanging just over the water.

  15. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Eric, thanks! Not the wisest move for a duckling, but intrepid!

  16. Words

    4 Apr 2011

    Adele, I love spring! 😀

  17. SittingFox

    4 Apr 2011

    Oh, that's so sweet! 😀 Big smile from these photos 🙂

  18. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Lovely pict

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