Yup, she finally did it! After waiting and waiting, Mama finally laid her eggs and stopped by a few days ago with ducklings in a row. Four chicks and a proud Mama walked onto the lawn while I was having my morning coffee. They probably heard me up in Lowell as I rushed into Chris’ bedroom.  “Mama is here and she has babies with her!!! Come on!!” Ahh, it’s easy being 19, all you have to do is tell your mother to get a life, roll over, and go back to sleep. His lack of enthusiasm didn’t faze me in the least though. Grabbing the camera, I headed outside for some family photos. Chirping and squeaking, four little balls of yellow fluff were pecking the ground, never straying too far from Mama. She kept a watchful eye, just like Daddy used to stand watch while she ate.

Eventually Chris came out. I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist a peek at the chicks. We’ve waited far too long for this moment.

Sadly, however, we didn’t get a long visit. Another hen with fourteen (OMG!!) ducklings came into the yard. Older than Mama’s chicks, the ducklings hadn’t been taught acceptable playground behavior. Running around like sugared-up kids, one of them started chasing Mama’s chicks. Acting like a water fowl version of Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider, Mama soon put the duckling in his place. Who knew Mama could move with such speed?

The frenzy was too much for the chicks and Mama soon gathered them together and left. I haven’t see her since but I’m confident she’s been taking good care of them. Soon, they’ll be on their own. Maybe they’ll come back for a visit to Grandma-ma’s yard. If not, that’s okay. She brought them by to say hello and that was way cool.

Blessed be :}