Storm And the Ducklings

Last night Austin had an electrifying storm and has seen a tornado touch down within the city limits, something that I don't remember ever happening. Some areas had wind bursts of 80 mph and golf ball-sized hail at 1 3/4". Our neighbourhood was on the lower end of the storm, but we still had very large winds, few quarter sized hails and very heavy rain - which we didn't have any of in the last several weeks.

In all of that, our ducklings from the rosemary bush decided to make an appearance just yesterday. When we came back home from work, I noticed one egg half-shell next to the nest as I was starting to change the water and food for the duck. When I looked closer, the little yellow fuzz balls were peeping from underneath the proud mama. When I learned of the intensity of the storm we were expecting, I removed the bowls in front of the nest, so that the ducks don't get hurt if the bowls start flying. I was really afraid for the safety of the babies in all that rain and wind.

After the first blow of the storm, I went out with an umbrella to check up on them. Their nest was well protected by the sturdy bush branches, so much so that even the egg shells did not move. The mama had spread her wings and covered all the ducklings so I couldn't see any of them. She was completely wet.

This morning, as I was surveying any damage to the roof, another duck of the same kind, possibly a male, flew onto the front yard and was checking us out. After just few minutes, he flew back in the direction of the pond. When I looked at the nest, the babies were there by themselves, all huddled together and each trying to get in the center and away from the camera. There were 11 of them. I couldn't resist to pet those little cute feathery balls. After few minutes, while I was back in the house, the mom came back, and was guarding them again.

I read that the ducklings should leave the nest within a day or two after hatching and walk with the mama back to the water. I really hope they are still there this evening and I can escort them in safety to the water over the weekend.