Anas platyrhynchos

Day 105 of my 365 Photo Challenge.

Due to the excellent weather, I continued to concentrate on taking pictures of wild birds, plants and insects.

After I had already captured swans and wild geese in my pictures, I tried my hand at wild ducks today.

I discovered this example of a mallard duck close to the waterline of our local lake.

Their chicks had just made themselves comfortable in a reed group to spend the next hours sleeping. Like any mother, the lady duck naturally watched over her chicks.

Obviously, she did not consider me a threat and showed no shyness towards me. So I could approach her leisurely to take a full-size picture of her.

For me, it is imperative not to keep the animals from their usual activities and to expose them to unnecessary stress!

I hope you stick to the same!