Mallard Mom and Three Little Ducklings Out for a Stroll

Mallard Mom and Three Little Ducklings Out for a Stroll

Proud Mamma

Female Mallard with Duckling, San Diego, California. I can't help thinking that Momma duck has a look of pride on her face as her duckling follows her across the pond. There were about 12 more siblings in front of Mom who were "cropped" out. Flowers and baby animals everywhere! Don't you love Spring?

Duckling Dining

This little duckling managed to get down a waterfall to munch algae in relative peace in this little pool. He and his Mom get an A for initiative!

Wood Ducklings

Every Spring we get all kinds of ducklings in San Diego. Here is a picture of Momma Wood Duck, Aix sponsa, fiercely guarding her ducklings.

Spring has Sprung?

Happy Palm Sunday! It's a beautiful sunny day outside here in San Diego (if a bit nippy). It was hailing something awful last night but you wouldn't know it from today's sunshine. The hail was coming down so hard I was wondering if it was going to come through the skylight. I have pictures but it's just the pea sized stuff. Maybe I'll throw up a picture for the next posting.

Meanwhile, the ducklings are out! Yay!!! They are always so adorable. These two were following mom in drinking from the pond. I'm not sure what species they are since most of my books key off of Dad, not Mom and especially not the babies. Mom had a brown head with a white bar just up from the beak and a white bar between the head and the neck. Below the neck she looked kind of like a teal with a patch of purple feather on the wingtip (see picture above!). Suggestions are welcome.

I'm off to enjoy my Sunday! Have a good one.

Ruddy Duckling

Even the Ruddy Ducks had a few ducklings following them around. They don't get the telltale blue bill until they get older (assuming it's a male) but they were sticking close to Mom and Pop. This one came up to get a closer look.

The Ducklings Are Here

It's that duckling time of year! There where all kinds of baby ducks trying out their new freedom on the ponds. Here are some napping near the flamingo pool.

Duck's Day Out

It's dreary and drizzly today. It's a good day to nap but also a good day to hang out at the zoo and check out the animals. The birds, in particular, were very active, flying every which way.

The ducks have notably had a very productive spring. The mom of these ducklings apparently hit the mother load. These ducklings were drinking runnoff out of a crack in the pavement and seemed pretty oblivious to the curious children trying to touch them.