Nature really has the last word when it comes to life and death around the pond. We noticed Mama Duck flying off suddenly last Sunday afternoon, then we saw there were no eggs left in the nest. No sign of struggle or evidence of what creature feasted on the eggs. In a way, I'm glad she didn't waste too long in such a hazardous spot. She can start again somewhere less open, I hope.

For those of you who are friends with Claire on Facebook, check out the spectacular pictures one of her friends just posted of her working with the birds at the Edinburgh Zoo.

Posted by lynda at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stop worrying, you bird people! Mama mallard made several more visits to add to her egg collection and, as of Thursday, she's been sitting on them full-time. Except when scared away by dogs a couple of times -- but we've confined the canines to viewing from a distance now. She tolerates us walking into the pond area; even Bob with the wheelbarrow doesn't upset her. According to wikipedia, it will be about a month before there are ducklings, if she and her eggs survive the rich tapestry of wildlife threats.

Posted by lynda at 07:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A few days ago, I noticed a nest on the ground on the little island in the middle of our backyard pond. Two days later, I saw that the nest had been disturbed and no sign of the eggs remained. I suspected a fox or a raccoon had found them. Then, this morning, the nest had been remade and no less than five eggs were in it. A female mallard cruised the pond and reluctantly flew off when one of the dogs made a move toward her. Claire tells me that ducks will lay eggs over several days, then finally, when they have enough, they will sit on them all to get things going. We'll see if Mama Duck keeps her appointment with her little ones, despite treacherous predators and domestic canines. The lesson? Mothering may be intentional or instinctive, but once you are on the path, it becomes a primal drive that persists against ridiculous odds, against tragic realities. Protecting our young at their most vulnerable is only the raw beginning. If you're a duck, maybe the job ends with the fledging. If you're a person, you never stop wondering if they're safe and well. Never.

Posted by lynda at 09:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The garden is fully awake now, all budding and greening up, and we've had several visitors to the pond. The heron is so touchy I've only seen it in full flight from a distance, but a pair of mallards are much more tolerant (except when the dogs go to greet them). My greenhouse project came together, with Bob's help: we made a former pheasant pen into a harbour for tender plants, using only a large roll of plastic and a nifty stapling tool. We repurposed odd bits from the pens we demolished inside the shed to make adjustable vents. It's already a handy spot for several dozen cuttings from an old privet recently hacked down by one of Mum's neighbours, plus all the seedlings I started a few weeks ago in the house.

I've stolen several hours on sunny days this week to get out and dig in the dirt, but it was no sacrifice to spend a whole day at the second annual HICKTech, a great tech conference in Owen Sound. It was a great combination of good speakers, interesting subjects, and superb food. We're doing our best to support the sponsoring businesses, stocking up from Neustadt Brewery and the 100 Mile Market. Excellent craft beer and four-year-old cheddar -- doesn't get any better than that.

Posted by lynda at 08:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)