Just duckin' around

Just off the parking lot of one of the local grocery stores is a creek that lazily makes it's way a couple miles around the area.   There is an area where you can go down and feed the Mallard ducks that call this place home for several months of the year (I'm sure there's one like this in FL that they go to during the winter months) and an occasional groundhog can be spotted there too.   During the late spring, you can see the ducklings following their moms as they learn the rules of the road and whatever life lessons a duck teaches its youngsters.   I've been there many times, disposing of stale bread and buns, making sure the ducks get their bellies full of the yummy wheat crumbs.  

Today, I decided to go down and see what would transpire since I didn't have any bread with me.   Note to self, when making animals the subject matter, ensure that they are happy with you being there by bringing goodies.   Obviously, they moved quickly to the other side of the creek far away from me.   Not to be deterred, I followed them down the creek and crossed the bridge that separates their side from the one I was on, and kept watching.   Pleasantly surprised, they started to get a bit restless and take to flight a little bit.   I managed to catch this pretty neat shot of one of the male ducks protecting his little area from the others, flying to get another trespasser getting too close.   Go get 'em, duck.