May Has Arrived...

The weather has been a little more crazy than usual for this time of year, but I've been loving the sunny, colder weather, especially as I know the heat is on it's way.

My Pretty Purple Columbines

At my house, Mz. Duck has moved on, with only three ducklings this year. Don't know why the rest didn't hatch, but that's nature for you. Flowers are in bloom, and I'm loving my columbines! So pretty! Our rhubarb has gone crazy! Last night while I worked on a project, my husband harvested, chopped, and filled freezer containers. There will be a lot of pie in our future!

The project I mentioned was creating, printing, and mailing graduation announcements for our youngest son. That special event is coming up very soon, and I had decided today was my mailing deadline. I got all but a few posted. It's a weight off my shoulders. Now I have to focus on the graduation party. It will be simple, as he prefers something small and intimate, where we just hangout, eat, converse, and perhaps play some games. He's never been much for big, noisy parties.

Life just keeps moving along, often faster than we imagined, bringing change. There is a bit of nostalgia for what we've left behind, but also a heightened anticipation for all the joys which lie ahead!

Beautiful Day...

It has been a lovely Saturday. I spent some time chatting with my oldest son about school, movies, life, etc. I edited photos for my youngest son's upcoming college graduation. Laundry is finished and put away. Checked Facebook, but nothing too interesting there. Read a couple chapters in the current novel I'm reading. Now here I am, following through on writing a few words each day.

Yesterday, I discovered we have ducks nesting in the front flower bed again. Oh dear! I was hoping they would find a less "high traffic" place to do this. The road behind us, which they have to cross with their ducklings, is now four lanes instead of two. I don't even want to think about it...

Last evening, my oldest son had his dad and me watch the most recent Star Wars movie. It was so good! It took me back to when I saw the original back in 1977! Action, humor, surprises! I was shocked at the loss of one of my favorites, but I will refrain from naming them. I'm sure I'm not the only one who hadn't seen this movie yet, and I'd hate to post a spoiler. For me, the Star Wars magic was finally back, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else they may have in store for us!

A Mother's Day Tale, Both Sad and Happy...

Every year a momma duck nests in our yard. I have dreaded it this year, because the road directly behind our house is under construction. It's being widened to four lanes. The momma ducks always insist on crossing the road rather than walking down to the canal on our side. Maybe they dislike swimming under the bridge to get to their favorite side of the canal.

This year three or four duck couples have been visiting and dining below our bird feeder. Sadly, one of the males was hit about three weeks ago. The widow sat for hours in our yard, and didn't even seem to be leaving to go to her nest. She finally began to disappear and show up occasionally to eat.

Early this morning, there were only three males out back. I knew that it was close to time for ducklings to arrive.

My husband and I were relaxing about an hour ago, watching TV and just enjoying Mother's Day. There was a knock at the door. A distraught man was there. One of the momma ducks had jumped right in front of his car. She was dead and the ducklings had run back up the berm and into our yard. He and his wife began to help us try to herd the 8 little ducklings into a box. Right! They were so fast, and "shouting" warnings to one another. Another of the duck couples was sitting under a tree and began to move away from the action. The ducklings tried to follow them, but they didn't seem interested in adopting a passel of babies. I'm sure she has a nest of her own out front in among the irises.

Ducklings were darting everywhere! Two headed back toward the road, two into the gigantic rhubarb stalks, two under the fence. The neighbors south of us got into the recovery and returned the two from their yard. It took a lot of energy, but we finally had all eight.

My husband closed the top of the box and headed to the canal. We felt their best chance was in the water, where all the ducks gather when their eggs have hatched. He could only access one side of the canal, and he could see another couple with about 8 of their own. He waited for them to calm down, then gently let our 8 into the water. They immediately heard the other momma and headed for her, but she wasn't sure and quacked at them. They stopped and waited. Then all floated under the bridge. By the time my husband got to the other side, she had accepted the additional 8!  The duck couple was last seen swimming happily away with 16 ducklings!

This is momma and ducklings from 2011. No pictures from today.

My husband took care of burying the momma, which was so sad, but all of her ducklings survived this Mother's Day. I also survived it, and I'm praying by next spring the road construction is complete. I'm also hoping the ducks will chose a nesting area closer to the canal!

Wishing you all a very Happy Mother's Day!

© 10May2015 ajj

We Got Ten!

Awesome Sunday!  We needed it after our sad news yesterday.  It started out with my son bending down to pick up the paper and coming face to face with a large black dog.  It was lying so still in our flower bed. As I looked, I saw mud and rumpled fur on it's right hip.  Looked as if it had been hit by a car.  Max brought out a bowl of water and she drank just a little, but did not try to move.  I finally got brave enough to pet her (or him) and get the phone number off the license.  We then had to wait for animal control.  The lady who came was so gentle.  We were able to get the dog to it's feet, three of them anyway.  And with some assistance, got her into the van.  She'll be seen by a vet, while they try to contact the owner.


About half an hour later, my husband comes hurrying in and says, "They're on the move... the ducklings!"  We frantically searched for the camera, and headed outside.  We live in a high traffic area, with lots of dogs around, so we decided to "escort" our little duck family to the canal.  Ten of the thirteen eggs hatched!  More than we expected!  It was a long journey, because she headed one direction for about a block, but realized there was no way through.  Then it was back around and out of the subdivision onto the main road.  Passing cars were slowing to take a quick look.  A couple dogs coming to lean over the short fence.  She was fine with her entourage trailing (now 5 people... husband, both sons, neighbor, and myself), as long as we didn't get too close.  Thank goodness for the zoom lens!  I hope you enjoy the photos...

My favorite photo... all huddled together...

On the move...

"Stick Together Kids..."

The  long walk...

Nature in the city...

"Mom, are we there yet?"

"I'm hungry, I'm tired..."

 "We're almost there..."

Making their way down the steep embankment...

Finally, safe at their destination!

Expecting....

In 2008, we were expecting 13 ducklings.  Our duck couple had returned, and there were 13 eggs.  Sadly, something (racoon or snake) got to the eggs.  There were no ducklings for us that year, and the pair never returned to nest in our front garden again.

Monday afternoon, while mowing the back lawn, my husband startled a duck.  She had a nest hidden behind our three Gooseberry bushes (Duck - Gooseberry...Lol)!  Amazingly, she has 13 eggs!  I'm hoping that at least some of the eggs survive to become ducklings!  I'll get photos of them if I can.  Here are two photos my husband took on Monday:

Thirteen Eggs, left briefly uncovered when "Mama" duck was startled by the lawn mower.

"Mama" happily back on her nest!

Well, back to my ancestry search... then on to one of my guilty pleasures... American Idol! 
I hope to be back blogging on a regular basis before too long!  Until then...

Blessings!
Nita Jo

All 13 Gone...

At noon today I peeked at our Mama Duck. She was quietly sitting on her nest. Lucky 13 came home from school about 3:35, so I wandered out front. There was nothing to see but broken eggshells and no sign of our little duck family. There were cars in and out all afternoon for yard sales. Even the neighbors across the street, who were doing yard work, did not see them go. I'm a bit afraid something (snake, dog, cat, magpie!!!) got to them. A snake took a couple last year.

PJ stopped by the canal where all the ducks and ducklings went last spring, but there were none anywhere in sight.

I'm so disappointed not to get even one picture. We'll keep checking for the next week or so at the canal. They may just be well-hidden by the overgrowth. I hope we get a chance at a picture of our 13!


Now for todays quote:

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

- Walt Disney

I don't intend to ever quit dreaming.