Pups and Ducks

If there is a ball in the mouth

you know it is Rusty Pup Shandy

Every year a pair of black ducks nests across the pond.

We love observing them

They are quite comfortable with the Rusty Pups

Several times a day the male escorts the female onto our lawn

and stands guard as she feeds

two of them come and feed

on our very damp lawn.

This morning was different

the female just sat as still as she could 

in another part of the garden.

I was worried

didn't let the dogs out

but she eventually wandered back to the pond

so the RP's and I followed.

This morning she stayed on the pond

and the male was at the other end of the pond

This is different

So we assume she must have had her babies yesterday.

Now, when we get to close

she quacks at us

and if she is really worried

the male takes flight and circles overhead.

The babies must be close by.

soon they will be in the water and shepherded down the stream

past the beaver lodge and into the Annapolis Basin.

There they will grow up

and finally fly south when the days shorten.

I must say I would like to follow the sun too!

Rusty Pup Kayla 

will keep a close eye on them

but we often miss seeing the babies

float downstream huddled together like a raft.

The thing is their colouring really camouflages them

against the dappled brownish water.

That's enough wildlife for the day, Mom

Can we go in now?

Pleease let us in

it must surely be time for another meal.

Brownish

Greenish

spiralling energy

wishing those ducks safe travels.