Esther had seven babies yesterday, and I was there when they left the next (on the ground next to the pond) and plopped into the water. She is a great mom and took them on a tour of the pond before leading them up the ramp to dry out (there was one dead baby by the nest and no unhatched eggs). Everyone is in good shape, and I will explain soon why I couldn’t post on her nesting and incubating. (I do have pictures). In the meantime, for a couple of days I will be busy with what’s below, so do bear with me. I have a lot more photos and movies.
Click the photos to enlarge them.
This was taken moments after the babies entered the water for the first time:
After a tour of the pond, they learned to navigate the ramp and went ashore to dry off. Fortunately, it was sunny and warm yesterday. Today will be colder, so I’m a bit worried, but on Friday the highs move into the 70s and even the 80s. Today feeding begins in earnest, though Esther has been well nourished throughout and a few babies even ate their tiny pellets.
Mordecai has been a great dad, driving off the drakes that keep going after Esther. I am also able to chase them away, but like all bachelor males, they are relentless. The fam:
By the way, we’ve run out of readers’ wildlife photos. I am sad.
Mazel Tov, Jerry! First brood on fully refurbished Botany Pond. No drama over jumping from ledges. I wish the whole family a healthy Summer of growth together. Validates a nice job by facilities and grounds and of course President Alivisatos in getting everything right. I know that Team Duck is excited.
Congratulations!
Great news!
🦆🐣[pretend this is a hen emoji]
At least some things are right with the world! It’s a joy to see the ducks are doing well. Mazel Tov, indeed.
And King Jerius loved Esther above all the hens of the land . . .
Fantastic news about the new ducklings! Looking forward to updates as and when you get the time.
Congratulations! Those little babies are floaters! It looks like they can’t possibly capsize no matter what.
Thank you for this mornings smile maker.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful news! Mazel tov to the new family!
Happy news!! Congratulations, Esther!!
Great that the new upgraded Botany Pond is open and already getting rave review from the first guests! (Just look at the photos— they’re made to order for a brochure ‘What to expect when you visit our luxurious, refurbished Pond, with all the requested amendments and still with the same professional staff and security.’)
Great news. I’m looking forward to the adventures they’ll have.
Congrats!
Congratulations to you and the new parents. Best wishes to the ducklings.
Gratifying news. And they’re adorable, not an ugly duckling among them.
Botany pond with a duck family again! Now that’s some well needed good news. Let the joy and stress of Ducklinghood commence. Hopefully you won’t have to go wading…or maybe swimming now. Iirc the pond is much deeper after the renovation.
Some good news! What a welcome change.
🦆🐣🐣🐣
(No female duck emoji!)
Congratulations Jerry and TeamDuck. I am looking forward to following the adventures of the first brood of ducks in revamped Botany Pond. All the best.
Wonderful news. Congratulations to Esther and Mordecai and the ducklings’ secular Gawdfather! (Bastetfather?)