6/22/09

We got ducklings!

Recently I got several comments on the posting "Fowling around the marina." Several readers were curious as to when the eggs will hatch. Folks, I got your answer today.

When I left the boat this morning, Marie the mother duck was nowhere to be seen. It was a tad unusual as she has been on her nest everyday for over three weeks. I returned around noon. She was back on her nest, and everything looked normal.


Several hours later, I peered out the window. Was I surprised to see several tiny duckling heads around the rim of the flower tub! My husband and I grabbed our camera and video camera and dashed out the door, all the while trying to contain our excitement for fear of scaring Marie and her ducklings. Of the nine eggs, seven have been hatched. Here are some pictures of Marie and her babies.

I had read in the USGS website that the incubation period for mallards typically lasts 25-29 days. They were pretty much on target. It has been 24 days.



Click on the pictures to see them in more detail. The video will be in the next posting.

You might also like: 
Fowling around the marina
Blogging and Sandhill cranes
From eggs to ducklings in 24 days

4 comments:

  1. Awwwww, I'm so excited for you! They are so precious. Thanks so much for posting the picture of them, you truly brightened my day!

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  2. Lovely lovely ducklings so is Marie; Its simply awesome!!! Love yr blog its very interesting.

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  3. Hi all,
    I hope you enjoy the video as well.

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  4. WoW!
    Most impressive...and congratulations on your new arrivals. However did you manage to keep the mother duck from running away...so often they become spooked by people..Miss your other blogs but Janie sent us this one....Are you in Chattanooga now? Miss you at Midway and hope to see you at Halloween with more of your most creative costumes! Mary Lee & Bob - PUZZLE

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