Afterglow

This is a shot of Mrs Mallard, refreshing herself after a session of love making with Mr Mallard on the garden pond.  The pair of them are frequent visitors and seem to get up to what comes naturally fairly regularly.

This afternoon, I had switched off the waterfall to undertake some essential repairs.  The concrete surface has gradually deteriorated over the years and there are now one or two holes in it at higher level, which allow an amount of water to escape into the surrounding rockery.  While this irrigation may help the neighbouring plants, it also has the effect of gradually emptying the pond.

The ducks seem to have become very tame, so much so, that I was able to carry out the work on the waterfall while they stayed put snoozing on the pond's retaining wall.  I heard some splashing at one point and looked around only to find the pair of them busy trying for ducklings while my back was turned!  

Once the event was over, (which seems to involve Mrs Duck having to hold her breath under water for the duration), Mrs D likes to give herself a full wash and fussy preen before settling down for another snooze.  This always makes Cathy laugh for some reason. :-)