We got the biggest surprise in our bush paddock garden recently. I went outside to do a bird count for the latest Aussie BirdCount and ventured down the hill to look at our plants and watch for birds. Imagine my surprise when I saw some ducklings with two adult Australian Wood Ducks.
Now, we’d had the Wood Ducks hanging around for a few weeks but we didn’t think we’d see any ducklings till next year, simply because there’s still not a lot of vegetation in the billabong or surrounding grounds. But this was a new pair with their 7 ducklings and they’d come to be by the billabong. I was going to text my husband who was inside to tell him but this was too exciting and too important. I rang him saying in a loud whisper, ‘we’ve got ducklings, we’ve got ducklings!’ He came outside within minutes and we watched from a distance. The parent ducks were aware we were there but went about their business, foraging for weeds and guiding their children along their chosen path. Fortunately for me I had my camera with my 500mm lens with me so I was able to get some shots.
The family of ducks stayed for four days before moving on to their next destination. I hope they come back! But in the meantime, here are some more shots for you to enjoy.
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