A handsome boy

[RobAmy]

The Drake Mallard hangin at the pond, looking dapper for the ladies.

Mallard Drake Portrait by A & R Photography, on Flickr

 

[addy1]

Very Dapper!

 

[Lisak1]

They are beautiful! I'm fighting with a pair that loves my pond - we're concerned they introduced a parasite last year that cost us a good number of our fish. So keep moving Mr & Mrs Duck! One of our dogs is supposedly a bird flusher... apparently she didn't get the memo as she just stands and stares, admiring their beauty.

 

[j.w]

He's royal! I crown him Sir Winston Duke of Ducks

 

[Lisak1]

So keep moving Mr & Mrs Duck!

Mr. and Mrs. Duck decided they like it here just fine. They left me an Easter basket under the bush:

 

[addy1]

How neat! Well except you don't want them there.

 

[GBBUDD]

How neat! Well except you don't want them there.

oh I have a feeling they are more then welcome. They will make for some killer photos

 

[Lisak1]

oh I have a feeling they are more then welcome.

Well, now that they've gone to all this trouble...

Honestly it's the only interesting thing happening around my house right now! We'll enjoy seeing them hatch. They are on the outside of our fenced back yard, so while mom and dad can get to the pond, the little ones might get left behind with a sitter!

 

[j.w]

An even dozen! Oh boy they are gonna be pinch the cheeks cuteness!

 

[JamieB]

Aww, cute. But expect mess, lost plants, and parasites. Lots and lots of mess. Not sure if cute little ducklings are worth it, but that’s your call.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

Mr. and Mrs. Duck decided they like it here just fine. They left me an Easter basket under the bush:

View attachment 127346

Only on one occasion (during our ponding stint in IL) did we have ducks actually nest in the garden right near our pond. Danged raccoons got into the nest, ate every egg & I won't mention what we found that was left of Mrs. Mallard. I wish the very best for your sweet little clutch of potential baby ducklings, no matter what a mess the adults might bring to your pond. (from that point forward we did our very best to run off any ducks that happened to show an interest in our pond. the heartbreak was just too much for me...)

 

[Lisak1]

The nest is actually outside of the fence - the pond is on the inside. Mom and dad can get into the pond, but the babies are on the wrong side of the fence. We'll see if they try to squeeze under for a swim!

We had a duck lay eggs in another part of the garden a few years ago and a raccoon (we assume) got to those eggs. We'll see if this mama has chosen a better spot.

Like I said, we're not excited to see them as we are pretty sure they introduced parasites to the pond last year.

 

[pondering_life]

Brilliant photo ! I love how even on some of the most common species of birds if you just stop and look they actually gave some really beautiful colours

 

[Lisak1]

Well - nature took care of my "duck problem" - all twelve eggs, gone. This was the only remnants left behind:

 

[RobAmy]

Maybe good for you but that is too bad. It is nature but not good for the ducks.