April 29

SO EXCITING!!!

The moment we've been waiting for since the beginning of March.

The wood ducks have hatched and left the nest!!!

Many times we had almost given up on that Mama, but it turns out that she was

just very dedicated and barely ever made an appearance.

This morning, the Mama sat in the box opening, scoping things out for a long time.

Then finally she flew out and swam up and down the slough, looking for any signs of danger.

When she was satisfied that the coast was clear, she briefly went back in,

then out she came again and went almost directly under the box, in the water, and started calling her young.

Instantly, baby ducks started popping out the box and free-falling to the ground below.

They waddled to the water and swam to their Mama.

Within 2 minutes of Mama coming out of the box,

there were 11 baby ducks swimming away behind her!!

So thrilled to have actually seen this all!!