Duckling and diving
30th April 2022
I have always loved baby ducks, what's not to love! Picture book cute, tenacious and feisty, so much character and determination from a little bundle of fluff.
I had forgotten how quickly those little legs could run when trying to keep up with their mother and how loud their alarmed contact peeps are when they lose sight of her and the rest of the family. I'd also forgotten the emotional highs and lows of unfolding drama, miraculous recoveries, terrible acts of violence and moments of motherly tenderness.
Duckling watching isn't for the faint hearted that's for sure. Having helped to rescue one little urchin who had fallen through a drain cover I spent the next hour trying to guide him back to his family. Rebuffed and chased away by every other female duck on the pond he was eventually reunited with his siblings but I felt as though I had aged a couple of years at the very least in the process.
I had forgotten how quickly those little legs could run when trying to keep up with their mother and how loud their alarmed contact peeps are when they lose sight of her and the rest of the family. I'd also forgotten the emotional highs and lows of unfolding drama, miraculous recoveries, terrible acts of violence and moments of motherly tenderness.
Duckling watching isn't for the faint hearted that's for sure. Having helped to rescue one little urchin who had fallen through a drain cover I spent the next hour trying to guide him back to his family. Rebuffed and chased away by every other female duck on the pond he was eventually reunited with his siblings but I felt as though I had aged a couple of years at the very least in the process.