Wild mallard with ducklings

By Aaron Horrell

This is a wild mallard hen with her brood. She is a very good mother.

From the time she finds a secret place to build her nest to the time her babies grow to nearly her size and disperse, about 15 weeks will have passed.

During every minute of every one of those days, the mallard hen will be consumed with a single purpose.

She must keep her ducklings safe.

Her mate almost always will leave her when she begins sitting the eggs, and he will not return to help her raise the little ones.

She will lead her brood to land if danger is eminent in the water.

She will lead them to water if danger appears on land.

Mallard ducklings in the wilds of Southeast Missouri are in danger of being eaten by animals such as large fish, mink, snakes, raccoons, snapping turtles, great blue herons, foxes, coyotes, owls and even bald eagles.

I took this photo about three weeks ago as the hen saw me and quickly led her babies away.