Wait for me!
These ducklings and their Wood Duck mom were exploring the middle of the pond, back and forth.
Mom was working hard keeping track of her charges. A male Wood Duck was nearby but didn’t appear to be helping with the minute to minute supervision.
When they finally spread out a bit I counted 18 ducklings!
You counted eighteen and who knows how many she had to begin with? That’s incredible. That they’ve kept so many safely together even to this point surely suggests they’re very good parents. Obviously she’s doing a fine job on the close supervision and I suspect he must be an excellent sentry!
They are off to a good start! Momma won’t be getting any rest for awhile.