Family Mallard

Today's the day ........................... to stay close to mother

I was completely mesmerised today watching Mr and Mrs Mallard and their twelve chicks negotiate their way along the River Kent.

Fortunately, the river is quite low at the moment and not flowing too fast so that it was relatively easy for Mum - and Dad - to keep an eye on the little ones.  But even so, some of them were quite adventurous and would bravely strike out away from the bank - only to be rounded up with a sharp quack  and brought back into line.

This parenting business can be quite stressful at times .................