Ducks in a Row

The scene in a South African vineyard.

Peaceful Ripples

Verona, Wisconsin, May 2015. Better ducks than geese.

Extended-Family Reunion

University of Wisconsin—Madison Arboretum, March 20, 2016. Everything will be fine if you stay on your own rock.

Many-Species Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, May 3, 2015. Here's another image from one of last year's goose chases.

The ducks didn't mind the commotion.

Duck!

Verona, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Let's film them while they're getting along.

Synchronized Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, May 2015. Everybody duck!

Goose Chase

Verona, Wisconsin, May 3, 2015. We've been watching the crane couple for more than a month, and I wonder if hatching time approaches. The gestation time for Sandhill Crane eggs is 29 to 32 days; we saw the first mating dance on March 25. Papa Crane has grown more territorial with the problem goose. That makes me think the arrival time for the chicks is near.

Flight

Verona, Wisconsin, April 2015. Mama Crane turns the eggs, and Papa Crane makes his rounds.

We talk about the goose ...

... in Lithuanian:

Verona, Wisconsin, April 25, 2015. I say, "That goose is a problem." I hear my American accent when I listen to myself speak in Lithuanian.

We prefer geese not frequent our pond.

Verona, Wisconsin, April 20, 2015. We tolerate some feathered friends, but others should not approach our nest.

They get along.

Verona, Wisconsin, April 2015. Mama Crane sits on the nest as the duck plunges for frogs.

Nesting

Verona, Wisconsin, March 19, 2015. The sandhill cranes we saw the other day are building a nest in the pond. The cranes became agitated when the ducks landed nearby.

Guard

Near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, about 1954. Here's the last photo from the duck series.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

It's Sunday. Let's get dressed up and go to the zoo.

Brookfield Zoo, September 1961. We briefly visit the Polar Bears, and then we head to my favorite spot: the Children's Zoo.

A Patient Sitter

Near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, about 1954. The dog waits as my Toronto Cousin approaches the ducks.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Do you remember those ducks?

Brookfield Zoo, June 1961. I found the duck exhibit at the Children's Zoo odd.

Visitors

Near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, about 1954. The dog has led my Toronto Cousin to the ducklings.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Stay with the plan.

 Madison, Wisconsin, May 2013. Families stick close together.

Duck-Pond Reunion

Suburban Chicago, May 1961. We're back at the Amling's duck pond. Did I remember to bring the Wonder Bread?

Duck Pond

Melrose Park, Illinois, May 1961. We stop to feed the ducks at Amling's Flowerland.