Just gonna start a thread of this little #duck family since I see them almost every day anyway. Watch em grow up while the thread progresses! Check back in for your dose of #dailyducks! https://twitter.com/Sabtastique/status/1273028793406554113
June 19
Only about 6 ducklings hanging out near mom today--! The rest are scattered all over the lake!
Only about 6 ducklings hanging out near mom today--! The rest are scattered all over the lake!
June 20
Snackin' on some algae - these little guys are getting tougher to get close enough to take pictures of!
Snackin' on some algae - these little guys are getting tougher to get close enough to take pictures of!
June 22
Caught one ducking that spooked it's sibling with a dolphin dive lol
Caught one ducking that spooked it's sibling with a dolphin dive lol
June 23
Was pretty hot out today so I brought some frozen peas for the ducks to snack on (FYI: bread isn't healthy for growing birds!)
Was pretty hot out today so I brought some frozen peas for the ducks to snack on (FYI: bread isn't healthy for growing birds!)
June 24
They were the closest they've ever been! I think they're starting to remember my little snacks
They were the closest they've ever been! I think they're starting to remember my little snacks
June 25
Another hot day with plenty of frozen peas to snack on. They're getting so big!
Another hot day with plenty of frozen peas to snack on. They're getting so big!
June 26
They're already starting to grow their pinfeathers!
They're already starting to grow their pinfeathers!
June 27
They were only about a foot away from me today! Pretty brave as long as mom's nearby lol
They were only about a foot away from me today! Pretty brave as long as mom's nearby lol
June 28
Tried out a mix of peas and watermelon today, but they only wanted peas lol. Sorry for the terrible camera aim today - it started pouring mid-visit!
Tried out a mix of peas and watermelon today, but they only wanted peas lol. Sorry for the terrible camera aim today - it started pouring mid-visit!
June 29
Strangely didn't see momma duck anywhere this morning, but still counted 10/11 babies--! Kind of delighted that they still come up to me when they're by themselves, but hoping mom's okay.
Strangely didn't see momma duck anywhere this morning, but still counted 10/11 babies--! Kind of delighted that they still come up to me when they're by themselves, but hoping mom's okay.
Saw this really big swainson's hawk hanging around the duckie pond today, too... Better go find another pond to hunt at, buster...!
Update: went for another walk around and found momma duck! She's back and all 11 babies are still swimmin' nearby.
June 30
Frozen corn kernels don't float very well, but they seem to like them as much as the frozen peas!
Frozen corn kernels don't float very well, but they seem to like them as much as the frozen peas!
New babies spotted!
Can anyone help me #identify this #bird or its new chicks? #birding #ornithology
It was seen in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has a pointed beak/bill, and a black mowhawk. It's on the smaller side, between the size of a crow and a robin.
Can anyone help me #identify this #bird or its new chicks? #birding #ornithology
It was seen in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has a pointed beak/bill, and a black mowhawk. It's on the smaller side, between the size of a crow and a robin.
July 1st
They ate from my hand today! I am the duck whisperer!! Happy Canada Day everybody!
They ate from my hand today! I am the duck whisperer!! Happy Canada Day everybody!
July 2nd
Lookit the tiny wing feathers on the ducklings' backs! Next time I see these guys they're going to be awkward teenagers!
Lookit the tiny wing feathers on the ducklings' backs! Next time I see these guys they're going to be awkward teenagers!
July 3rd
(Last update until Friday next week)
Momma duck thought about taking some food from my hand, but the babies didn't give her much time to think
(Last update until Friday next week)
Momma duck thought about taking some food from my hand, but the babies didn't give her much time to think
Thanks to the help of some friends, I learned that those new babies were bufflehead ducks! Really tricky to get a decent photo of, but there are 5 new hatchlings at the duck pond now!
July 8
I missed these little guys so much! Look how much they've grown since last week! So many feathers now!
I missed these little guys so much! Look how much they've grown since last week! So many feathers now!
Me: no more peas
Them: aw, maaaan
Them: aw, maaaan
July 9
Learned today that ducks prefer to eat their food submerged in water to help with swallowing. When I forgot to do that, the ducklings would grab food and dip it in the water anyway lol
Learned today that ducks prefer to eat their food submerged in water to help with swallowing. When I forgot to do that, the ducklings would grab food and dip it in the water anyway lol
July 10
ZOOOOOM
ZOOOOOM
July 11
Good company on a sunny day
Good company on a sunny day
Just reading up on these guys. They're almost 1 month old now!
At 6 weeks old, they'll start quacking,
At 2 months old they'll molt for the first time and get their flight feathers, so maybe I'll be able to tell by then which ones are boys or girls.
Neat!
At 6 weeks old, they'll start quacking,
At 2 months old they'll molt for the first time and get their flight feathers, so maybe I'll be able to tell by then which ones are boys or girls.
Neat!
July 13
Here they come--!
*shakes the snack bag*
Here they come--!
*shakes the snack bag*
July 14
Ducklings are 1 month old today!
(give or take a day or two)
Ducklings are 1 month old today!
(give or take a day or two)
July 15
The ducks settled in for a nap right beside me today omg
The ducks settled in for a nap right beside me today omg
More cute up-close shots from today's duckie walk so glad all 11 of these lil nuggets are strong and healthy!
July 16
I think I disturbed their lil afternoon nap today - oops!
I think I disturbed their lil afternoon nap today - oops!
July 17
Momma duck is the only one who flies right now so she's starting to fly over to me to get first dibs on peas!
Momma duck is the only one who flies right now so she's starting to fly over to me to get first dibs on peas!
(they all caught up)
July 18
Heard a tiny quack from one of the #ducklings for the first time today! Didn't manage to record it, though. Hopefully next time!
Heard a tiny quack from one of the #ducklings for the first time today! Didn't manage to record it, though. Hopefully next time!
Close-ups from today's #duck walk
Here's how those wing feathers are going to grow in! The ducklings are between step 3 and 4 right now:
source: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/
source: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/
July 21
All lined up for lunchtime!
All lined up for lunchtime!
July 23
Huge downpour on the duck walk today! Ever notice how ducks and geese look up and face storms directly?
Huge downpour on the duck walk today! Ever notice how ducks and geese look up and face storms directly?
Feathery thief: CAUGHT IN THE ACT
July 24
These guys are getting SO BIG! Hard to tell which one is momma duck now:
These guys are getting SO BIG! Hard to tell which one is momma duck now:
July 25