As I was sprawled out on my bed this morning, watching TV and *thinking* about getting up, I noticed a flurry of activity out my sliding glass door. As I looked out, I saw our mallard duck, Paris, walk by with about a dozen ducklings in tow.

WTF?

Had she really been gone for 20+ days and I didn't notice? Did she steal them from another hen and leave the poor gal's body in the woods? She doesn't seem the type...

Nope, these little cuties look just like their momma and I have a feeling Big Fred, the drake from up the street, had something to do with it.

I did my best to run out in my bathrobe and catch a few shots but it was to no avail. She quickly sequestered her babies in the tall grass and feigned having an injured wing. I took it as a good hint I was being a pain in her feathery butt and I left her alone.

The duck pool is again filled with large rocks so as to prevent any duckling drownings and my heart is filled with joy as my kiddos don't know anything yet. What a great thing to come home from after school - fuzzy babies.