A Ducky Day

A hen mallard and her five ducklings were enjoying the wild rice pond on the UMD campus. The ducklings were very active chasing bugs across the surface of the pond.  They have some good speed!  When no bugs were to be seen, they would dive under the surface.  The mama hen kept close watch and continuously voiced a low quack to keep the duckling within hearing range.  If one ventured too far--or I got too close--the hen would let out a louder and slightly different tone and the duckling would quickly paddle closer to her.

Mallard duckling chasing a bug and leaving a wake.