by Doctor Science
Today in nature, we are waiting for Wood Duck eggs to hatch in North Carolina:
There are 18 eggs, and they should hatch very close to all at once. If you don't see anything, it's because mom has carefully covered them up and gone out for a bit. When the ducklings are a day old or less, the mother will swim under the nest box, calling:
and they'll all clamber up to the hole, drop to the water, and begin swimming immediately. Here's the inside-the-nest view from last year; this year we'll get to see it from both angles.
I love Wood Ducks. The males are just gorgeous, while the females have a kind of quiet elegance.
By John James Audubon. source.
I've always been partical to woodducks, too. One of the amazoing thigs about them is how little they are. They scurry on the water like little bathtub toys.
Posted by: Laura Koerbeer | May 14, 2012 at 07:47 PM
My family and I went to this place over the weekend; my 11-year-old took pictures of absolutely everything. She was especially entranced with the Eastern Screech Owl, which was (full-grown, this one) about the size of my fist.
Posted by: Slartibartfast | May 15, 2012 at 08:06 AM
This post is for the birds!
Posted by: hairshirthedonist | May 15, 2012 at 03:09 PM
The wood ducks hatched this morning, pretty much like corn popping: first one, then another, then pop pop pop pop pop!
If you look at woodiecam now, you'll see Mom *trying* to get some shut-eye on top of a seething pile of ducklings. Jump will be tomorrow morning, probably fairly early.
Posted by: Doctor Science | May 15, 2012 at 11:40 PM
"woodiecam.com" Huhuh. Huhuhuh.
Posted by: Slartibartfast | May 16, 2012 at 08:02 AM