A duck on a pond

I'm also happy to say that to show her appreciation, I believe she's had a LOT of mosquito larvae to eat! You should have seen her burying her head in all the nooks at the edge of the pond!

Oh, and you won't believe this, but I think I saw a hummingbird when we were out at the pond.

They do love bugs! It is almost worth having a yard full of ducks just to keep it bug free. lol

Do you not get hummers?

[bold] but I think I saw a hummingbird when we were out at the pond. [/bold]
OMG!!! Hurray!!!

I don't get the hummers until the fall migration. Those that watch the hummingbird thread will tell you what a whiner I am about it. I have all the right stuff planted, so I'm just waiting for them to discover me… waiting…EVERY… YEAR! LOL. Anyway, I looked up and think I saw one flying off. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Oh...I did not know. You must come for a visit and we will sit on the deck and watch them fight over 6 feeders!

Sigh. so jealous.

Well at 7pm tonight during the final swim, we did indeed see a hummingbird. It had been there before because it was looking for the feeder I had taken in to clean.

That pond is bringing you good luck. Gorgeous photos of my niece. LOL

Yea!

And how did we do on our last swim of the day?

this sweetie is hyperactive tonight
she's biting at me while i typpe

we did great. got out and dried off. even let mommy pick her up.

LOL, Marna, I can tell you're going to have a hard time letting her goes to the rehab. At the mean time, just enjoy her company.

I will be both happy and sad when she goes. She has bonded with me today big time. she'll now sit still for a while on my chest and follow me.

She's the sweetest. I'm sharing your joy. :-)

This has been interesting to say the least and in more ways than one. First of all, I am amazed and the different views of two rehabbers. You would think they all go by a rehabber book or code or something. Maybe that's just pirates, LOL.

As I've stated, the first rehabber told me to take the duck to another family and then this one tells me that after 24-48 hours a mother will not accept any new hatchlings. That is a huge difference in opinion for a very important matter. So I think you just gotta go with your gut.

I've also discovered something about myself. I think I have too much fear for this job. But as my psychotherapist MargaretK (haha) says, I've seen a lot of bird death recently and that plays into it.

I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures today. Will try for some more tomorrow.

Pix for July 13…
We had a long swim this morning. She cocked her head for a while and looked at me. It was again, cute overload.

Still looking at me. This seems to me like it is the firs time she has ever stared at me.

Had a little bath…

… and a drink.

Then decide to sit in the sun and look pretty.

I just included this one because it shows her eye so clearly. I am so happy to have this pond where she can get some "wild" training. Today she was obsessed with the striped grass. there must have been some bugs in there.

Ways too cute!

Yes, I"m going to miss her when she goes to the rehabber. I'm sure I'll get pictures though.

Cute overload indeed!! She is just so precious!

She is growing! And still too cute!

Guess who's learned to dive under water!!!

Oh my goodness, I bet you panicked when she dove under the water. She's just such an innocent and loving little thing. I know I'd just want to hold her all day long. Each photo you've shown us is just beautiful and it's obvious she loves you.

I think she was really proud of herself. I know i was.

She is a very happy girl! I bet Momma is kinda happy, too...and you should be.

I think the last picture is my favorite. No, maybe, the one before it. No, maybe, the one you took yesterday. Oh, who am I kidding, I love them all!!!

Here are a few more from an afternoon swim and romp.

In the grass. I had strayed too far away I guess and she followed me.

a little preening…

cute stuff…

she's so pretty…

and finally…

Cute Cute Cute!!

Can you believe how big she is? I weighed her again and she's gained about another 1/4 ounce, but she looks so big now.

Adorable, just adorable!

She was probably staring at you wondering "Mom, how come you aren't coming swimming with me?" I wouldn't be able to give her up.

LOL Threegardeners, you are probably right about her wondering why Mom never joins swim time. I have actually had three ducks and 1 goose try to pull me into the water. One of our Wood ducks would scold me for not flying with her...yep, Marna that would be Eliza...she would fly around, land at my feet and begin to scold. Then she would start the entire process over. Birds are amazing!

Too funny. I HAVE sat with my legs in the pond, and she seems content that I do so.

Today was funny, I put her in the pond and walked off a bit to do something. Man! YAP YAP YAP! and running towards me. VERY needy. Maybe she's a boy after all. LOL.

Anyway, I spent the morning sewing fiberglass screen onto a dog crate so she could have more room. At first she was not happy about being crated at all. But after a swim she was better and is snoozing now.

Duckmother, you need a little kayak!

I love that little "cute stuff" photo where she looks so inquisitive. They're all adorable though. We can really see where she's getting bigger. Her eyes are so beautiful.