The Pond – May – Ducklings

A perfect day. Warm and still with clear blue skies and the fish spawning in the pond.

We have five very small ducklings. Their Mum watches over them constantly. She allows them some freedom to swim away from her – but not far. Each morning she flies off to stretch her wings for about 10 minutes. The brood sit in a motionless silent huddle, anxiously awaiting her return.

Several times a day she marches them up to the house where they paddle about in an old bird bath on the gravel. They drag great chunks of bird bread into it. Sometimes two or even three ducklings working together with the crusts. The Mum prefers grain or bird seed and she’s ever watchful.

It’s tough for ducklings. They are easy prey to everything: crows, magpies, jays, herons, rats, foxes, weasels and cats. Even the big carp nip their little legs.
Now she has escorted them to the border next to the pond. Protected by the willows, they peck in the mulch, beeping constantly.

Dozens of smaller fish are shoaling in great sweeping curves and tight circles. The ducklings, now at the far end of the pond, have discovered how to dive. Little balls of fluff disappear and pop up like corks. One does it – they all do it!

The sun is really hot just noW, and there’s a gentle breeze which makes the Balsam Poplar sound like water.

Today can be a holiday. A day to watch, to observe, to enjoy.
So many days slaving and rushing to get everything done.
Good to stop and appreciate what we’ve created.