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While John and I were away this past week, the Mallard eggs we rescued from our dogs three weeks ago hatched. So beside looking after the cat, the dogs and the chicks, Julie became the proud mother of two ducklings. Her reaction on Saturday morning when they were one and two days old?

"Mom, I'm exhausted. I'm never having children if this is what it's like!"

Not to worry Julie....I have a feeling the ducklings were far more time consuming.

They follow Julie everywhere.

Amelia on the left and Pepper on the right

Mom takes them swimming.

Sometimes they need a little reassurance.

They seem to take right to it.

Proud mom

A walk to the sunny part of the lawn

I'm tired, mom.

"Duckling" eye view

Too cute!

Warming up Pepper who likes to snuggle.

The duckings love their "mom."

Ok.... we're off for another walk.

To be continued......

Seems like everyone loves a duck! This past weekend, friends came to check out the ducklings.

The kids were enthralled.

Lily

Grace

So were the adults.

Alison

Can you blame them? This is Pepper.

Next, Grace and Lily were off to see the baby chicks.

Even Ben got into the act.

And then it was the horses.

Dandy was thrilled with the company.

And so was I.

So Julie and I were sitting on the upper lawn today with the ducklings when we noticed that a male and female Mallard were walking to the upper lawn from the pond. Coincidence?

Perhaps, but we decided to see if the ducklings would go to the ducks. As we stood and slowly walked to the pond, the ducks retreated to the water. Amelia and Pepper followed Julie, spotted the ducks and the water and continued on to the pond.

walking to the pond

Julie watched them enter the water

The female came over to check out the ducklings.

Even the drake came over.

Unfortunately the female heard something from across the pond and she and the drake flew away. The ducklings couldn't have cared less. They were having too much fun in the water.

We're taking them out more now and they keep me company when I weed. They are a magnet for predators, however. Sweetie, the shy barn cat came out to fix her beady eyes on them and it's necessary at this point to keep the dogs in the house as Tucker would love to have duck confit.

So what's it like having ducks in the house? Yes, you read correctly...in the house. Well there is a little juggling to do with the dogs. The ducklings are still small enough that Tucker would like to make them an additional meal. We are presently working on that however by introducing them to the chickens in the yard.

A typical day in the life of our ducks.....

I let the dogs out in the morning and get about the job of cleaning the downstairs powder room. That is where Amelia and Pepper are living. That is not a fun job because they poop a lot. I've got towels on the floor and scoop them up each morning, shake them out and put them through the wash. Can't wait for the electric bill next month.

Meanwhile what are the ducks doing? Check it out.

They've found the dogs' water bowl and take their morning swim.

Either bowl will do.

Then it's time for a little grooming.....

That can be tiring, it's time for a rest.

They love a visit from their original "mom."

After a walk about....

...the outdoors beckons.

Then it's time for a swim in the real pond...

More grooming...

and more duck back massage...

I can't monitor them in the pond constantly, so set up a mini pond for them up on the lawn.

Sometimes they just like to rest.

And then there is always time for a nap.

The ducks were moved in with the chickens and it wasn't ideal. The chickens took to them but also liked their food and therefore relegated the ducklings to the bottom of the pecking order. We therefore moved them into their own stall where they had more room to walk about, no competition for food and a good view of what goes on in the barn.

I still feel a little guilty about having them "cooped" up so I still make time to take them out for several walks and swims about during the day.

Fourth of July weekend was a real treat for them as Heather, George, George's daughter Lily, Julie, and Heather's friend Alison came for a visit. It was a beautiful day to sit by the pool so that is where we took the ducks. Some people swim with sharks. We prefer ducks!

Checking out this new body of water

I can do this!

Lily with the ducks

Taking a rest with Heather on the raft

Taking a rest with Julie

Soaking up the sun

Lily loved the ducks

More time with Julie

Time with Alison

Enjoying the water

Diving for a cherry

Giving it another try

And at the end of the day.......

...it's back to the pond.