The reason posting may be light. . . . (PCCE’s wildlife photos)

Esther had seven babies yesterday, and I was there when they left the next (on the ground next to the pond) and plopped into the water. She is a great mom and took them on a tour of the pond before leading them up the ramp to dry out (there was one dead baby by the nest and no unhatched eggs). Everyone is in good shape, and I will explain soon why I couldn’t post on her nesting and incubating. (I do have pictures). In the meantime, for a couple of days I will be busy with what’s below, so do bear with me. I have a lot more photos and movies.

Click the photos to enlarge them.

This was taken moments after the babies entered the water for the first time:

After a tour of the pond, they learned to navigate the ramp and went ashore to dry off. Fortunately, it was sunny and warm yesterday. Today will be colder, so I’m a bit worried, but on Friday the highs move into the 70s and even the 80s.  Today feeding begins in earnest, though Esther has been well nourished throughout and a few babies even ate their tiny pellets.

Mordecai has been a great dad, driving off the drakes that keep going after Esther.  I am also able to chase them away, but like all bachelor males, they are relentless.  The fam:

By the way, we’ve run out of readers’ wildlife photos. I am sad.