We’ve been watching our wood duck nest box for months. The first clutch did not hatch. Overcoming our disappointment, we set out new wood shavings and hoped for the best. By and by, another wood duck hen came in and laid 18 or so eggs. (Maybe it was two hens?) Nevertheless, we watched again. She seemed to be doing it all right, turning the eggs, covering them in down before leaving to feed, and sitting, sitting, sitting.
Yesterday morning my husband texted and said, “Look in the house.” (I am away from home this week.) When I looked at the video on my phone sent from the camera in the nesting box, I saw three dark blobs. At first I was afraid they were dead, but eventually realized that hatching is hard work, so they lay still.
We are both proud parents of 12 wood ducklings. Today was Jump Day. At 7:30 AM, Momma went out and called her babies. They climbed the wire mesh my husband had nailed into the wall nearest the hole. One by one they reached the hole and jumped out.
A poem will come, I’m sure. Yesterday, Laura Purdie Salas posted her 15 Words or Less image and I wrote this little ditty.
Ripple Effect
One egg hatches
Margaret Simon, draft, 2019
then another.
Soon the whole nest
is chattering.
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh, my goodness! I saw the photo on facebook. But, its even better with your description. I can’t believe you added Poetry Friday to your plate this week with being out of town. But, the joy of birth just has to be shared-I get it…and love it! Welcome to the world all chattering wood ducks!
I loved following along with the excitement on Facebook. What a wonderful thing to witness! Thanks for sharing!
Jump Day! Marvelous! Thanks for sharing the fun.
How exciting Margaret, and an incredible picture–I love it. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about these ducklings… Thanks for sharing them!
So. Much. Fun. It is incredible that they jump the DAY AFTER they hatch!
I can’t wait to see what else you write!
How exciting! I love the photo and your description. Your short poem is perfect.
Hooray for wood ducklings! I love the little ditty you wrote. I thought the same as Mary Lee: they jump the next day?! Wow!