Mirabile dictu: all seven (I miscounted) newly hatched ducklings are still on the pond with mom, and ate a hearty breakfast! They are so light that they are walking atop the lily pads, and also foraging there. The new hen is clearly not Honey.
Katie and brood seem to leave them pretty much alone, although Katie goes after the new hen (who will get a name if they stay) and they tend to stay out of the way of the older brood. But I can feed the two broods separately without conflict—so far. Also, the new hen seems to come to my whistle! The big question: will I be able to fledge any or all of the new ones? (I’m going to Hawaii for three weeks in 9 days, though I have substitute Duck Farmers.)
The new family was huddled on the bank yesterday. But I see this morning that they’ve already learned their way around the pond and have found the beach exit (the young ones are too small to jump onto the cement rim around the pond, and so must exit on the “beach”). These photos were taken yesterday with my iPhone camera, so quality isn’t so great. More photos to come.
Ships in the night:
Hope they can all get along. It would be great to raise two broods!
May have to postpone that vacation…not.
I have two people feeding both broods three times a day. And they’re good, responsible folks. I’m not worried.
Great picture = SitNite
Love the photos and daily narrative.
Any chance of photographing the newest little ones walking and foraging on lily pads?
As far as a name, I’m still hoping for Tammy Duckworth, after your US Senator.
L
+1
Extended cuteness! Like having a another child so you can experience the cutest stages again.
Any possibility that the new mama is one of Honey’s progeny?
Just what I’ve been thinking.
Forgot to mention that when I read the new hen was coming to PCC’s whistle so very quickly I thought that she had likely experienced whistle/food connection before – probably at Botany Pond.
The ducklings that I used to feed along the creek behind my home remembered me for about four years. I could tell because they would come right up to my feet to eat out of a bowl. I had taught about 14-15 ducklings to eat from bowls – like kittens. This was on my back patio. I still feel good about it when I look at a photo I took of one of the families chowing down.
Botany Pond? I think it should be renamed Mallard Pond. I can’t believe how big the first brood is.
“all seven (I miscounted) newly hatched ducklings”
If this is the brood in your photo I think you have miscounted – I count 8 ducklings.