While working in the yard this afternoon, Sable got a little too close the area where a mama duck was hanging out and she flew off. Sable trots over to investigate the nest, which until that moment I was unaware of, and I think "Oh no, not a nest! Sable is going to be all over the eggs.". But no, our intrepid huntress sniffs the eggs and then runs away to get a toy. That's our girl, ever ready for playtime but lets a Mallard build a nest in her territory.
I'm all for protecting wildlife and ducklings are adorable but I would prefer them in someone else's yard. Since Sable seems to be disinterested in the eggs, I guess they are safe. I don't know what will happen when the eggs start to hatch, which according to internet sites is anywhere from 23-30 days. I will have to start posting Duck Bulletins on my blog to everyone up-to-date.
I carefully checked the area and took a couple of pictures and a count, there are eight large eggs in the nest, well disguised among the plants and leaves, clever Mother Nature!
