All Drakes Together

Walking along the canal towpath today I was intrigued to see numerous mallard drakes paddling around but not a lady duck anywhere. So where are all these lady ducks? I have recently seen a ducky family - drake, duck and ten ducklings. Are the ladies all in hiding trying to preserve their little broods or what?
MaggieD's friend Joyce popped over this morning so I let them have a good natter and slipped out to the garage - with wire brush and sanding block to strip down a garden gate. I checked out this gate the other day and found that the rust gremlins had got a bit of a hold hence the action. After lunch and out canal stroll, Fee & Lyall dropped in, nicely tanned and back from Rhodes. (Jealous, nah, not much!) Ali & Euan also called for a wee while. Euan is such a smiley wee feller!
Still, I did get that gate started.