This morning, as I was opening my back door, I was greeted by Mr. Mallard Duck.  Mr. Duck is the one nearest the birdfeeder pole facing the camera.  He was gently quacking asking me to feed him and his buddies.  So, I quietly walked past them all and got some cracked corn for my morning visitors.  I was wondering where Mrs. Mallard Duck was.  She is usually with Mr. Duck, but it 'tis the season' and she is quite frequently on the run from all her male suitors.

     It wasn't long before I saw Mrs. Duck fly in with a couple of these hot blooded suitors following close behind.  Mr. Duck immediately went into action and started lowering his head and running off the "hopefuls".  This female duck truly prefers Mr. Duck (who does not have a white ring around his neck) to all the other males that have found their way to our backyard. 

Here is the cute couple finally able to rest quietly together.

But some of her "suitors" are still very close by. 

     It has been amazing to watch the Mallard Duck dynamics from my back door.  Mr. and Mrs. Duck are so used to us that we can walk past them and they will not move.  They are not that way with anyone else that comes too close to them, so I believe they trust that we, meaning my family, will not harm them.  They do not allow us to touch them, and I do not encourage that from us or anyone else, but it is nice to know that there has been a relationship, if you will, forged with these beautiful creatures.

     They are so funny sometimes.  If my husband is watering something-Mrs. Duck will start quacking at him--the reason?  She wants fresh water in her pan, so she can take a bath!  They will (at a small distance) follow us if we have any form of bread in our hands, because they know they are going to get a treat.  I think it would be great to figure out a way to have a Mallard to nest in our backyard!  I really would like to see the eggs hatch, watch the ducklings grow and just observe their familial habits.  I know my son, Seth would like the same thing.  He loves the ducks!

                  Anyway, I have had a ducky good morning!

                                          God Bless!!