OOPS!

Today at the local pond this mother duck was swimming with three very new babies. That is quite a surprise as it seems quite late in the season for such new ducklings. (The resident geese had long ago had their babies and they are already nearly full grown.) I had a couple fairly good shots of the mother and three ducklings all together, but I couldn't resist posting this shot. The little guy on the right lost his balance after a quick dive for something under water. He obviously has a lot to learn! To see what he was doing just seconds before this shot, go to Flickr for the cutest little bum ever!

Also, I thought the mother's new feathers were absolutely beautiful. This is her 'new coat' after the late spring molting. They've finally grown in enough to show a pretty pattern.