Try as I might, I have had a hard time finding baby ducks to photograph here Somewhere-in-the-Middle-of-the-USA.  On a recent duck hunting trip to Lake Lenexa, the mating pair was having Date Night and left the “kids” at home.  I checked all the usual locations along the Indian Creek on a recent walk and was about to leave empty-handed when I finally spotted Mama Duck splashing with her babies where the water bubbles over some bigger rocks.

I’m not entirely pleased with the quality of these shots.  I had to take them on maximum zoom and they aren’t as sharp as I’d like them to be.  But, they’re all I have of ducklings so far and wanted to share them anyway.  Plus also, ducklings with their Mama seem like a good post for Mother’s Day.

Any tips or tricks to share with me?

Duckling Photo #1.  The Mama Duck who came so close I could have pet her just a few weeks earlier spotted me at quite a distance and started sounding the alarm quack.

Duckling Photo #2.  The males immediately swooped in like Secret Service Agents protecting the President.  They formed a ducky barrier between Mama, Ducklings, and me as Mama swam the wee ones to a safe place away from the paparazzi me.

Duckling Photo #3.  On the far side of the creek, it seemed to dawn on Mama that I don’t have webbed feet.  She also seemed to sense that I’m not really that great a swimmer (which is true) and showed a little less urgency as she hustled the ducklings up onto dry land and off to a safe place in the woods. 

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