Snow Geese Outer Banks

Over the years I've enjoyed many waterfowl encounters. I have had several different types of duck/swan/geese species on my bucket list and by and large I've been able to knock that list down. The spring can be an extremely secretive time on ponds, rivers, and wood areas as that is when newbies are born. There are always predators on the look out for food. Finding a species is a matter of sitting and waiting for long hours often with no sightings. But when a sweet flock of young ones appear, ever so quietly, it is well worth the investment of time.

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​It was in 2014 that I photographed my first set of duckling pictures.
​​I was observing a goose family when I noticed some commotion on a 10 foot ledge wall in water. I saw a female mallard duck walk out from under small trees and long grass on the top of the wall. She jumped in the water and quickly returned to her well-hidden nest.
​​As I watched, barely able to see her and her eggs, I became anxious with excitement. It was a long wait but every so often I saw the movement and flutter of a newly hatched duckling. Not wanting to miss the moment when these ducklings waddled out and made their first “hello world” debut, I positioned myself directly in front of the ledge and made myself comfortable on the ground.
By and by the tiny balls of fluff started to come out along the wall.
​Twelve little ducklings, with twinkling eyes and beaks, shaped like smiles, eventually made their appearance.

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