Mallard Ducklings Enjoying Mama's Shade

It was a gorgeous day in central Pennsylvania. My husband and I decided to eat a lovely lunch at Jim's in Bellefonte and then go for a hike along nearby Spring Creek. There is a spot we discovered back in late May with green trails and a pretty little wooden bridge. I've been dying to go back. Finally, we did.

And what did we discover but a little outdoor paradise! The day was just about peachy perfect. Cooler and more temperate, blue skies with puffy white clouds, a nice breeze. We walked up to the bridge where we found the tiny snake last time (yes, we are snake lovers), but there were no snakes this time.

But the place was just replete with wildlife. I spotted a muskrat swimming along the shore. Ebony jewelwing damselflies flitted about the surface. A woodpecker with a red head landed on a nearby tree, and climbed it.

I walked across the bridge to discover pink and yellow wildflowers on the other side, visited by a host of BUTTERFLIES of all kinds!  I heard its cackle above us, but did not see the kingfisher go by.

There is a huge downed tree near the bridge now, and we soon spotted a sweet family of mallards. Mama Mallard had five little babies in her clutch, and what a pretty group they made.

The tree slowed the currents of the cool, clear water around it and it made a perfect place for a duckling nursery. (And so it is that fallen, broken things nurture new life. A thing to consider before you go and tidy things up right away.)

When we first arrived, the mallards were sitting in a nice, safe spot among the tree's branches. Then they went out into the creek a short ways and nibbled on things. Then they took a tiny tour, swimming around the tree, but never far from it, always within reach of Mama. And finally, in the end, they settled back into their original spot for a nap.

It reminded me how important Mama is, especially when you are young. She was a very good mother, keeping an eye on them, but not being TOO protective. She counted noses (or maybe: beaks or bills), made sure everybody was safe.

This photo is from the nap phase, when all five babies were snuggled under Mama. You can see the sprawled-out legs of one sibling to the left, which cracked me up. And one little duck nose sort of peeking out there.

Do you remember when you were young, and small, and Mama was everything? Food, and drink, and home, and shelter, and safety, and sustenance. And even shade, on a fine summer's day.

The soundtrack: the Rolling Stones, Gimme Shelter.