Sunday, August 4, 2019

BitterSweet

More than a month ago, mom noticed a small white duck hanging out in our pachysandra and it didn't take her long to figure out that she was sitting on a nest.   She was a great mother - only leaving for a short time to eat and take a swim.  She was of Landlord Bob's ducks and we think she may have been a Call duck.  This isn't her but this is what she looked like and we have no idea who the dad is. 
You don't know how many times mom told herself to snap a photo of her for Nature Friday.  It never happened.
One morning as we headed out for our walk, we noticed that she was missing and hoped that when we returned, she would be back and sitting on her nest.    Unfortunately, she wasn't and mom knew that she had most probably lost her life protecting her nest.
We didn't want to invite unwanted predators in our yard by leaving the eggs unattended so mom wrote to Mackie's dad and asked him what she should do.       He told her to box the eggs up and he would stop by and collect them and incubate them in his high tech incubator.   His incubator is temperature and humidity controlled and it even rolls the eggs just like a mother duck does.   All Mackie's dad has to do is to add water.   He also has a light that candles the eggs to see if they are fertile or not.    Mom gave him twelve eggs and he told us that ten of them were fertile.
He can actually see blood vessels as the light shines through the egg shell.
 He also said that the eggs would hatch in a week to ten days.
This is the first baby that has hatched.
What a cutie!
These are the eight duckies that made it and are thriving~ 
Thank you so much, Mackie's dad for saving Mama Call ducks babies.

Love ya lots♥
Molly

20 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    oh my gosh, Molly - you gotta keep us posted on their progress!!! What a rescue. A lovely story for a Sunday morning... Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  2. Thank you to Mackie’s Dad and your Mom for saving those babies.

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  3. Oh my goodness Molly and Mom...such a sweet Mama duck and devoted and smart to have nested near ya'll. I'm so sorry but also very thankful that her babies have hatched with the help Dad of Mackie. Grow big and strong babies and I know your Mama duck will be your guardian Angel. As YAM said please keep us posted
    Hugs Cecilia

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  4. What a wonderful post this is. It made me smile. Lucky ducks.

    Have a woof woof day, Molly. My best to your mom. ♥

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  5. So cute! I'm happy there are caring people in the world who want to step in to help nature when needed.

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  6. Sorry mother duck disappeared, bit it was a good thing there was a savior for those babies!

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  7. Rest in piece momma duck. How wonderful you were able to help 10 ducks survive.

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  8. So sad for momma duck but bless your mom and Mackie's dad for saving the eggs. What cute ducklings! we hope they continue to thrive and grow
    hugs
    Mabel & Hilda

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  9. Well done and quick thinking. Glad there was an incubator at hand. Poor Mama duck never got to see her babies.

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  10. Oh, we are so sad for Mama duck, but so glad that Mackie's Dad could save the babies. ♥
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  11. this is a very bittersweet story! happy life for the ducklings. good job Molly and Mom and Mackie's dad!

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  12. Oh, such a lovely, hopeful story. Sad for the mother duck, but she lives on in her children.

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  13. That is a bittersweet story but at least momma Call's babies will be able to carry on her legacy. Will the babies stay at Mackie's house in that big pond?

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  14. Oh, we're so glad that Mama Duck's sacrifice wasn't in vain. <3

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  15. Oh my. This sure is a bittersweet story. I'm so sorry abouts Mama duckie, butts lookie at her babies! BRAVO! to you and your Moms and your Pops for banding togethers to help those wee chicks!um...ducks...um...what are they called??? ☺
    Thanks for the POTP gurl ~ it sure did help!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  16. Wow. Mackie's dad is a true superstar!

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  17. We are so happy that Mackie's dad was there to help. They are all so very cute. We can't wait to hear updates on how they are doing. Thanks for the share. Have a wonderful day.
    World of Animals

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  18. Lulu: "Aww, poor mama duck. We're glad you were able to save so many babies though. Aren't we, guys?"
    Charlee: "Oh yes."
    Chaplin: "You can never have too many birds around."

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