All seven ducklings at Botany Pond have become awkward adolescents, and will soon be fledging. Anticipating a sweet farewell, I filmed a couple of them this morning on my way to work. Notice the huge goldfish that inhabit the pond (there are also turtles), and, at the end, the ever-attentive mother.
Nearly-fledged ducklings
June 11, 2012 • 4:35 am
Very nice. It’s like they are all coming out just to see you and say goodbye.
At what age do the males develop their distinctive plumage? Any ideas? Just wonder about the proportion of males to females surviving in this clutch.
At next molt (late summer?), I believe.
“Notice the huge goldfish that inhabit the pond”
I’m glad you pointed them out, otherwise I would surely have missed them. |:
I am intrigued by your comment, “the ever-attentive mother.” Are mother ducks particularly attentive/good mothers? I did find this article: http://www.world-science.net/othernews/070111_ducks.htm
The secondaries and primaries are not yet visible, so there’s still a couple more weeks before fledging.
Be glad no snapping turtle has made that pond its home. They love ducklings. And not in a nice way.
Which camera did you use – a phone camera, or another one. Always enjoy a wildlife break.