Weird wild duckling

[desertdarlene]

We have a new slow-growing (runt-ish) duckling that loves to dive like a loon! He's under the water for at least a minute. Trouble used to do that. He's even got Trouble's bill and his mother and Trouble know each other.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very pretty, maybe Troubles off spring?

 

[desertdarlene]

Could be. I think he's probably got a few around the lake. He's such a sweetie, so mild tempered.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s sweet. Good to see you dd.

 

[desertdarlene]

I wanted to give an update on Troublemaker. I haven't been checking the ducks as closely, but I think he may have finally passed on possibly last year. I think I saw him in 2022 or 2023, but I don't think I've seen him lately. They lowered the lake by a lot last year, so it's hard to get to the shoreline to look at the ducks.

He's recognizable because he's smaller than most of the other adults. Plus, he's a sweetie. He would have been 10 years old this year, which is a pretty good lifespan for a wild mallard. I don't know how many babies he may have fathered during that time. He pretty much stayed in one area of the lake his whole life and spent most of the time with another adult male and an adult female.

If I think I see him again, I will let everyone know.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thank you! Just read this whole journal and really enjoyed it. Beautiful pics! Long may his tribe flourish!

 

[desertdarlene]

Thank you! Just read this whole journal and really enjoyed it. Beautiful pics! Long may his tribe flourish!

Thanks for reading! Not long after I read the last post, I saw his two buddies but did not see him with them. There were other ducks nearby, though. When I say his name, he usually starts doing his raspy quack, but none of those ducks reacted.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good to see you back @desertdarlene I have always enjoyed your posts and pictures.