Tough subjects.

[Ron Evers]

Very dull morning today & as I approached one of our ponds on my walk-about,
I noticed a slight ripple in the reeds. Thinking it may be the elusive turtle I turned on my camera & moved in closer & out of the reeds burst Mom & 10 babies.




She quickly took them to cover under some tree branches.




As I moved closer to get a better view she would take them under other cover.



I kept playing cat & mouse with them & finally got a better shot.




I will have to go down with my wife to flush them out into open water for a better shot in better light. These shots were all @ ISO 1600.

 

[mmaria]

just awwwww.... cuties

 

[tirediron]

Nice Ron; I really like #3.

 

[annamaria]

Aw too cute.

 

[baturn]

Nice! A lot to be said for persistence. Gotta agree with John.

 

[chanda95]

Adorable. I personally like both the 3rd and the 4th.

 

[Ron Evers]

Thanks folks.

Jeanne & I went back down this afternoon & they were nowhere to be found.

 

[IzzieK]

 

[Derrel]

Very dull morning today & as I approached one of our ponds on my walk-about,
I noticed a slight ripple in the reeds. Thinking it may be the elusive turtle I turned on my camera & moved in closer & out of the reeds burst Mom & 10 babies.

View attachment 75291

Really cute mallard mama and her brood. Looks like there are 11 little mallard heads here in this shot; she wasn't babysitting one was she? I've seen it when the babies get a bit larger, that one or two mothers will "babysit" another one's brood for a while, Or two mothers will take over two broods + what appear to be a few extra tag-alongs for short periods.

 

[Ron Evers]

Very dull morning today & as I approached one of our ponds on my walk-about,
I noticed a slight ripple in the reeds. Thinking it may be the elusive turtle I turned on my camera & moved in closer & out of the reeds burst Mom & 10 babies.

View attachment 75291

Really cute mallard mama and her brood. Looks like there are 11 little mallard heads here in this shot; she wasn't babysitting one was she? I've seen it when the babies get a bit larger, that one or two mothers will "babysit" another one's brood for a while, Or two mothers will take over two broods + what appear to be a few extra tag-alongs for short periods.

My wife counted 11 as well.

I do a walk-about nearly every day down by the ponds & never noticed any sign of a duck nesting in the vicinity. This was a great surprise. So, I doubt she is babysitting.