Tufted duckling

Yes, I know it doesn't have a tuft, and neither in fact does its mother, but they are nevertheless known as tufted ducks - it's the male that has the tuft. There were two tufted ducklings when I was last at Blackford Pond, and now there is only one. I hope this one makes it through to adulthood. There is a new coot nest - the coots who had the second oldest brood are now having another one. That makes four broods this year - a very good year for coots!