the aftermath June 3, 2026

It was go time!  Time to go see what transpired since Saturday night when the weather took a turn for the worse and did not let up until last evening. It was Carburn Park where I chose to go to witness the aftermath of the weather wrath.  I am opting to pass on sharing photos of how the area looked, it was not pretty. What I will focus on is a family of Common Goldeneyes, a Mom and her six ducklings. They told me a story! 

I believe I arrived while the Ducklings were still asleep. I saw Mom not far off swimming around.  As I approached the shore, the little ones began to stir.  Five were snuggled together on one log while the sixth, being confident and independent, sat on its own on another section of the log. That's the Goldeneye that I can relate to.   

The five siblings could not have been any closer together. 

The independent Duckling needed its space. 

As I snapped shots from beside a tree, where I stayed still, the Ducklings began to stretch and move about.   Mom was still not far off swimming about.  After waking, stretching, moving about, the little ones..... 

.....began to leave the coziness of being on the log, to stepping into the water to join Mom.

One by one they swam off yet these two stayed behind a little longer. One still wanting some cuddles, the other curious about its reflection. While the one Duckling looked into the water, the other Duckling slipped off the log and swam off to join the rest of its family. Once the lone little one looked up and realized the family swan away together, it had a few words to share! 

It worked its way off the log then scurried along to join Mom and its five siblings. 

I watched the Ducklings swim along the shore, in and out of the reeds, diving into the water, veering away from Mom, swimming circles, being left behind, Mom coming to collect those left behind, continuing to swim with no rhyme nor reason for direction, Mom chasing away adult ducks, the little ones just being littles ones spending all their energy, which clearly was exhausting Mom.  

Mom Goldeneye eventually gathered her Ducklings together leading them to a somewhat secluded spot with hopes they would have a morning nap. The little ones once again cuddled together, all the while watching Mom.....   

.....while she took some well deserved time to herself, yet still keeping an eye on her babies! I waited and watched for a short time to see the Ducklings staying put under the watchful eye of Mom.