The mother duck that lost all her ducklings last year is down to three babies, but they're healthier than the babies she had last year at the same age. It was around the age that these ducklings are that she lost all of them. Today, though, she led them right toward the heron! I followed them and the heron disappeared. I didn't see him leave, but I couldn't find him anywhere.
Then, the mom was being harassed by a few drakes and her ducklings moved head of her. But, the soon stopped and began calling for her, so she flew over. I left a few minutes later. Hopefully the heron was nowhere to be found so that she could deal with the drakes without risking her ducklings to the heron.
These two ducklings seemed to have become good friends. It's the rouen and a regular mallard duckling:
All the killdeer where out calling and fighting. I don't know which killdeer this is, but it was arguing with Junior. I think it's George's son from last year:
Pepper still has his hurt wing, though he seems to be moving it around a little. He hasn't changed otherwise and was even seen harassing a female duck.
I'm really surprised these guys have survived this long. They've been at this lake almost exactly one year:
I'm also really surprised to still see ruddy ducks at this lake at this time of year.
I don't know if this female ring-necked duck is ever going to leave, either:
Yesterday, I went to Cabrillo National Monument. It was a free week with no entry fees. I saw some pelicans:
And, surprisingly, some California quail, too:
Later, I went to Famosa Slough and saw some stilts:
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