The duck family lost two of its young members by the morning of May 10th. It was not clear where they spent the night since they could not access the original nest. The Gardens' staff lowered one of the tulip pots to the water level of the pool but the ducks did not use it (thanks, staff, for one last effort in support of this duck family). The ducks wandered off during the rest of the day on the 10th but reappeared in the garden where the ducklings were born on the morning of May 11th.
In the top panel momma duck and four of the remaining five duckling are foraging among the plants in the garden that had been their home. I was able to sit on a bench and have the ducklings wander right past my feet - they never seemed to notice me!
The lower panel is one of the last photos I took of the family as they wandered along the walk while nibbling on some of the flower plants on the morning of May 11th.
This ends the saga of the 'potted' duck family. They left the Gardens later on the 11th and were never seen again. All of us who were privileged to share this saga hoped they moved on to one of the nearby ponds.
Tomorrow I will begin a story about the goslings that were hatched in Brookside Gardens this spring.
(Nikon D200, Nikkor 24-120 VR, iso 200, hand held), Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD, May 11, 2007
About me
I work for a public Botanical Gardens in the Wings of Fancy Butterfly Exhibit. Since my passion is nature photography, this is a fun job for me. Images posted on this blog are © 2002-2008 by Bud Cline (dba, images by buddell) and all rights are reserved. No image may be used in any way without written permission.
I work for a public Botanical Gardens in the Wings of Fancy Butterfly Exhibit. Since my passion is nature photography, this is a fun job for me. Images posted on this blog are © 2002-2008 by Bud Cline (dba, images by buddell) and all rights are reserved. No image may be used in any way without written permission.
Currently, I am...
Having fun: with my new Nikon D700 camera!
Having fun: with my new Nikon D700 camera!