"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Animal Wednesday.....They're Back!

Sunday, I was working at the de Young and who was there?  Mr. and Mrs. Mallard....  two years ago, they decided the de Young Fountain was the optium place to hatch their 13 Ducklings.... it was one of the first posts I ever did....  last year, they did not show up.....  so I am especially happy to see them again!  I'll keep you posted......

Here's Mrs. Mallard and some of the 2010 babies...(they are perched on the inside ledge of the Fountain).




HAW!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

20 comments:

  1. Oh, too cute. What would we do without our wildlife!!
    Hugs

    HAW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teri.... I agree... they bring unexpected magic into our lives every day!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  2. so glad they have returned. they knew there was a good photo op in the area no doubt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A-ha-ha!!! They enjoyed their 2010 *Fame* and want more!!!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  3. That's lovely! It's nice to see "old" friends - of any persuasion! We now only have 3 ducks left out of 6 and I hope at least they stay because we all look forward to seeing them when we walk around the lake. They will probably have babies again...what happened to the ducklings a couple of years ago? Did they all grow up there till they flew away?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doris, after the Ducklings started to grow beyond the *Fuzzy Stage*, they quickly learned to fly....and soon, all (including the parents) were gone.... Stow Lake (where I photographed the Stellar Jay and the *Bread-Eating Fish* is very close....so I am sure the moved there! I was happy they all survived and wern't killed by predators.

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  4. Alright, this is too cute for words. I am so happy they are safe. Speaking of returns, a couple of years back we had a crazy woodpecker who for some reason that not even he may be able to explain if he could talk, decided that our front door's brass kickplate was his mirror or some other woodpecker. We did everything we could to discourage him since we didn't want for him to get hurt. Last year he wasn't around so we thought he found a mate and she sat him straight.

    Behold: this morning we were awaken by a loud knock, then another, the puppies went crazy and you guess it: he is baaaack! Tomorrow if I can get downstairs I will cover the kickplate again and hope he will remember, then again that old saying about a bird's memory, right?

    I am looking forward to the updates. What a pair of trusting creatures, aren't they? Hugs from here, my dear. Please take care of yourself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear *Hedge*....what a wonderful story! You described it beautifully.... yes, their memories are really extraordinary! I hope your kickplate is covered now - and Mr. Woodpecker can just *knock, knock, knock* on a nearby tree!

      Hugs back!

      ♥ Robin ♥

      p.s. I adore the name of your blog!

      Delete
  5. Oh, I love seeing these ducklings!
    We've watched them often, and we're always amazed at how fast they grow.
    It's so precious, watching them all swimming along in line behind Mom and Dad.
    Really fun post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Babs...you are so right...it is adorable when they all march around in a line!

      I'm hoping there WILL be babies this year! I'm back at the de Young next Sunday...so will *report* then!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  6. Must be Mallard day. Marianne posted some too. Wait till you see what I got pictures of today. A male Turkey courting two females right in the street by our house. He was all fluffed up too. Good thing I had my camera handy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cris....wasn't that a *hoot* - we all did Mallard Posts! A-ha-ha!

      Looking forward to those Turkey photos!!!!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  7. I love ducks! We get a lot of geese around here, and it's not uncommon to see a mama marching her babies across a busy street. It's all I can do not to completely PANIC. People around our town seem used to it, and stop and wait. Remember Make Way for Ducklings? :)) xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pameeee....I would be thrilled to see Goslings with their parents...but alas, most of the Geese I see are *in transit* going North or South - depending on the Season.... ah....one day, I will see them!!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  8. How I wish Mr and Mrs mallard would have their hatch their ducklings in my pond but the ferocious predator, called Spook, drove them away........
    I can'tr wait to see and hear about their new romantic adventure in the pond over there.....
    ♥M

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, Marianne...I wish *your Mallards* had stayed... but then, I don't blame them....to see that *Ball of Fluff - with claws, stealthily creeping up - would have made me leave too! That Spook!!! The *Huntress*! (That's usually Sjimmie's territory!)

      I will keep you posted.....hopefully this year, there will be babies!

      Love - and a special hug to Spook!

      Delete
  9. Happy to see the family is growing :) Happy April to ya!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We'll see if there are 2012 Duckings soon!

      Happy April to you too, my friend!

      Hugs,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete
  10. oh, they are so sweet and you will have such fun watching those bundles of fur hatch and follow their mama around. Lovely

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mim....fingers and toes crossed for babies ths year!!!!

      Love,

      ♥ Robin ♥

      Delete