Thursday, May 10, 2007

Life Goes On

We have been following a local story about a pair of ducks who had taken up residence in my friend's front yard, and all of us were waiting for the usual spring-type news of nests, etc. Finally, the pair had a nest and the eggs were laid.

Then, one day, disaster -- the drake was killed on the road. However, the Momma duck continued with her duties, and even entertained several interested drakes.

This morning, my friend called me at work to say, the ducklings were hatching! I actually closed up my office, left a sign on the door, and off I went, camera in hand.

This little duckling peeked from under her body. The duckling walked all over and under the mother, many, many times. As it turned out, our local wildlife lady drove by and she said the ducklings pick up the oil from the mother during this climbing activity, so they can swim. There is another little guy somewhere among those feathers, and more eggs under her. They will have to cross that dangerous road again, to get to the lake.

This was a lovely, encouraging sign of new life, good things to come, life goes on.

10 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. sorry 2nd try ...sticky fingers in the above deleted post.
    How lovely, could you place a sign telling motorists to slow down
    BABIES CROSSING aubirdwoman

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  3. What a wonderful story...thank you!

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  4. please keep us updated on the progress... we watch with tender concern from the other side of the world....... aubirdwoman

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  5. Oh Elaine, I'm so glad that Momma has been able to hatch her babies. Life can be, often is, so tragic. That's great info that the wildlife lady gave. Thanks so much for sharing that with us. And please keep us updated on them. Sending good thoughts for their 'road crossing' when the time comes. :)

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  6. Very cute! Interesting tidbit about the oil. hmmm. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Thanks for the great picture and story. New life is always exciting.

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  8. That is so sweet! And I learned something new about ducks.

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  9. Poor Mama Duck to be left without her man. So sad. Cute little ducklings.

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  10. Thanks for letting me know about the four little ducks and the dutiful mum. Hope they continue to grow. Happy quilting... aubirdwoman

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