The MALLARD DUCK

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The MALLARD DUCK
(female)
male
female
by Kelsey Farmer
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This is about
the female mallard duck
On
At
August 2, 2007
1030 AM
Where?
Lake Habeeb Rocky Gap State Park in Cumberland, MD
Lake Habeeb is a 243 acre man-made lake,
surrounded by mountains, in Cumberland, MD.
Although it is man made it has creeks and small
rivers running from it. Its wildlife includes
different species of ducks, fish, snakes, owls,
geese, and more. It has submerged trees and
underwater plants growing in the lake. The
mallard ducks were photographed close to shore in
a shallow area with many underwater plants.
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The three baby mallard ducks were swimming
alongside their mother. They were farther apart
before they noticed we were following them in a
canoe.
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4
2
The baby ducks seemed to be running on water as
though they were trying to fly. They would flap
their wings and splash through the water.
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The three little ducks swam towards their mother
and as they swam they did not leave their
mothers side.
3
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The ducks continued swimming even as we got
closer in the boat. However the babies got
closer to their mother and the mother grew very
defensive. She would quack, snap her beak and
also flap her wings.
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7
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As we paddled farther away them they ventured
farther apart.
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While observing the MALLARD DUCK . . .
I learned that a mother is very protective. The
ducklings seem to want to go everywhere. When
they dove for food the smaller ducks went all of
the way underwater the mothers tail stayed
above water. My observations did not show what
they ate however. They swam in the same general
area for about 30 minutes and there were about
six other ducks of the same species near by.
Ducks do not like humans around them. The
females camouflage extremely well against the
water. If you lost sight of them it took a few
minutes to spot them even if you were staring
straight at them. They seemed wary of the canoe
even though boats are on the lake mostly every
day. They did not fly away however.
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THE END!!