NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Four Ducklings Crossing the Lake — Alone

Monthly Challenge — Baby Wild Animals: Lost and found in the wilderness

Yes, I do jump out of planes for a living and might be used to having a certain amount of adrenaline in my blood but this scene on the lake topped it all. My heart started pumping and I might have held my breath for a moment or two.

Road tripping through Sweden for a few days we set up our camp each night next to a different lake. We truly enjoyed the remoteness and wilderness surrounding us.

On the second day, we had just come back from a hike surrounding the lake when my husband spotted something in the water. Of course, there must be birds out there. There are plenty of birds on the lake and onshore.

But something seemed odd with the creatures swimming out there.

They were kind of fast but kind of very small as well.

I took out my camera since we didn’t have binoculars to identify the creatures and as I zoomed in I couldn’t believe what appeared in front of my eyes.

“That are ducklings. All on their own.”

My voice was a little too high but this sighting brought me into distress. Why would there be ducklings out on the lake? Without a parent anywhere near them. And why the hell were these ducklings crossing the lake?

Now I could also see them with my bare eyes. The ducklings were coming from the far shore towards us. Crossing the lake with incredible speed for such small creatures.

They seemed in stress. That is for sure. But so was I.

I’ve seen countless hawks and other small-bird hunting flying creatures.

How long until one of them will spot these unprotected ducklings?

I was cheering them on.

The ducklings.

I didn’t know where they were heading or aiming for. But they were at a pace, I tell you that. And they were coming towards me.

And then I realized it.

They are real survivors.

They know where to find shelter.

And protection.

They headed straight for the reeds in the shallow water right next to our camp. I could barely spot them. Just because I knew they were in there, I saw them.

And again, they were so tiny.

Fragile.

Helpless.

Or were those words describing me? I had no idea how to protect these children. And trust me, I really wanted to. I knew the harsh wilderness of Sweden wouldn’t make apologies.

But eventually, I just had to look away. I told myself they were safe in the reeds and hopefully found something to eat as well.

I don’t know what I was doing. Making a fire, preparing food, or just sipping on a bottle of beer.

All of a sudden it got loud. Like very loud. Nature like loud. I told you, out in the wilderness where we were camping there were no signs or sounds of civilization.

My husband and I both got up and looked immediately towards the lake.

A duck was coming in. Flying with a rapid speed, dive-bombing the reeds next to us. With lots of chatter.

A chorus of soft screams responded to the arrival.

It was mom.

Finally, what a relief.

I still don’t know what happened and separated this mother duck from her ducklings but I am just happy the tiny birds survived the dangerous swim across the open lake.

And I’m so happy about their reunion.

After the sad story Dennett had to witness as 12 ducklings disappeared from one day to another, this is a story with a happy ending. Out in the wilderness of southern Sweden.

But the TV show wasn’t finished yet.

Two wild geese were coming around the corner. Not making any noise. They almost appeared as if they were hunting. Silent and unobtrusive.

I was holding my breath. Again.

What was going to happen?

The mother duck was in the reeds next to our camp for a while now. They were swimming around. They appeared distressed, that is for sure. But I thought they were safe where they were.

The geese were coming closer to the ducklings and while I was wondering what would happen next I saw they kept a respectful distance but were kind of lifting their head watching around.

Were they protecting the duck and her ducklings? Had they lost their own offspring?

I don’t know. And I will most probably never know.

But I believe they did.

And it makes me smile.

The sun was nearing the horizon and the light was getting worse for taking photographs but I was standing out on the tiny wooden fishing pier again getting a quick picture as the mother duck was trying to get her ducklings up onto the rock.

This might have been their nest. And it might have been the reason why the ducklings swam all the way across the lake. Because they remembered their safe home.

But every move I did out on the wooden planks made the mother duck worry. She wouldn’t settle on the rock again. Even if all ducklings were up on it.

She looked very distressed. Which I can understand. I don’t even want to know what she had been through as a mother. I decided to step back and walk away from the wooden pier.

And yes, the geese were still around. If you look closely you can see the mother duck with her children in the picture on the left and the two geese following them at a safe distance.

I know, there are only three ducklings visible in this photograph but there were still all four of them. And despite the lack of light, I still like this photograph.

Eventually, I decided to turn away and let the duck family find a place to sleep. I knew they were safe since the wild geese were protecting them and went to sleep myself.

The ducks must have slept on that rock or at least in the bay somewhere in the reeds next to us because I saw them out on the lake the next morning again. And I’m pretty sure I still counted four ducklings.

So here we go. A positive story of survival out in nature.

Lost and found.

In Sweden’s rugged wilderness.

This is a response to the June writing challenge of Wildlife Trekker. Thank you Randy Runtsch.

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