We're Surrogate Grandparents

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Alan

Senior Member
We had a Mallard nest in our garden three weeks ago. This afternoon the ducklings hatched. Here are a few shots and I believe some of them are less than an hour old. Might get some more shots later tonight.



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Alan

Senior Member
Thanks for all the comments guys. Here are a couple more from tonight. Had half the neighborhood over for baby watching. Good thing Mom is so used to me being around that she didn't really seem to care. She just sat there and the kids would pop in and out as they saw fit. She did however use her wings about 30 minutes ago to nudge them all back under her.

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A

Alan

Senior Member
Mom left for a few minutes this morning so I got a shot of the nest. I count 11.

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While I was getting the nest shots i heard a Quack behind me. Mom was in the neighbors driveway and not real happy with me. She even brought Dad ( first time I have seen him around) but he took off again.

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Alan

Senior Member
According to everything I read they abandon the nest in about 24 hours. She takes them to whatever water source she has been using to eat as they will be safer there than in the nest.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
you should have gotten the lady a pool. :) or maybe she just didn't like the paparazzi hanging around. Lol some nice shots while it lasted, thanks for posting.
 
A

Alan

Senior Member
nikonpup said:
you should have gotten the lady a pool. :) or maybe she just didn't like the paparazzi hanging around. Lol some nice shots while it lasted, thanks for posting.
Click to expand...

Actually one of my neighbors daughter put her inflatable pool in their front yard hoping she would use it, but alas no such luck. And yes there were neighbors in my yard with cameras that I didn't even know :)
 
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