Tag Archives: ducklings

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, CAPE ANN STYLE!

Just as did Robert McCloskey’s Beacon Hill Mr. and Mrs. Mallard Duck hatch eight ducklings, so too did our Niles Pond pair. Meet Luck, Chuck, Puck, Cluck, Stuck, Huck, Oouck, and Muck.

The family foraged for seaweed in the rough surf of the Cove before crossing the berm. The ducklings bathed, preened, and swam in fresh water Niles Pond. Mrs Mallard found a cozy patch of dried reeds to take a nap, which lasted all of two minutes before the little quackers were back in the water.

Ducklings Aplenty at Niles Pond!

Last week, Mom Mallard had to cut a path through the lily pads.

https://instagram.com/p/47ICxxjyra/

This morning, the duckling led the way!

There are half a dozen duckling families at Niles Pond, all at seemingly different ages of development, from the smallest, an “only” duckling, to “tweens,” and “teens.” I am happy to see many have made it past snapping-turtle-breakfast-age!

The “Tweens”

The “Teens”

Camouflaged

Listen up!