By Lisa Bass
Thirteen eggs are discovered under the daylily near my front door. I was almost knocked off my feet by a large, brown bird that flew over my head. My first instinct was to post a picture of the eggs on Facebook and ask the public to help me identify the type of bird who laid the baker’s dozen eggs. Through research, the eggs were identified as duck eggs. Soon, mama duck returned and sat on her eggs. I checked on her, multiple times throughout the day and evening, and she was doing her maternal duty.
Early Saturday morning I checked on her to discover the babies were hatching. At that point there were already at least half a dozen. As neighbors walked by they stopped to see the miracle of nature. I even stopped a sheriff and his partner who were driving by to share the excitement with them. They got out of the cruiser to take part in the excitement.
Mama duck did not enjoy the show as much as we did. She hissed and puffed up each time someone would come visit, although she seemed to get used to my watching the incredible birth of her babies. As the day went on, more and more little ducklings hatched until all eggs hatched. The babies curled up under mama duck for protection and warmth. Mama seemed proud of her babies. We look forward to seeing them follow mama on their adventure to the nearby pond. However, we joke about this adventure and compare it to my lining up my little students on their first day of school to walk on our school tour. What a challenge she has ahead of her, but what a miracle of nature!
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