Top Duck

Just in time for Easter, there they were on the village pond.  Mr. and Mrs. Mallard had produced eight little balls of fluff. We’re used, every year, to seeing Mrs. M shepherding her little brood across the road, causing dustbin lorries and gravel-haulage lorries to shudder to a halt – Mrs. M never uses the Pelican Crossing.  We’re used to seeing her fussing after her babies as they learn to feed and dive and explore.  We’re less used to Mr. M being part of the picture.  He’s usually lounging round the edge of the pond with his mates, his head tucked under his wing.  Boring, child-rearing.

But yesterday, he was in Proud Dad mode, busying himself round his new babies while Mr. M flew off for a while to … I don’t know.  Have a bit of R&R I hope, leaving Dad in charge.

Top Dad.

#Square Tops 14

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

28 thoughts on “Top Duck”

  6. A modern family 😁
    “But yesterday, he was in Proud Dad mode, busying himself round his new babies while Mr. M flew off for a while to … I don’t know. “

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Worryingly, I haven’t seen the babies for some days now. This happens every year. Lots of broods, and most of them end up … disappeared. Geese, other males, dogs, foxes. But not, this year at least, traffic.

      Liked by 1 person

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