I write from the shade of the apricot tree, waiting for new ducklings to reappear. Michael espied them as he cut across duck country to reap rhubarb.

Zeke does not use this dog house. Michael made it for Zealot while we were in Maine. It traveled all the way here, heavy though it may be. Lately he’d been thinking of burning it as no longer having purpose. His delight in finding it occupied is endless.

We brought ducks down to summer pasture on April 30th. We lost count as we ferried them about. We kept debating whether we lost a gray duck. Now we know where she’s been hiding. Duck eggs take 28 days to incubate. Today is May 27th. We have counted 5-6 hatchlings. They come in various sizes and colors, which means the one broody hen hatched eggs donated by her pasture-mates. We can hardly wait to meet them.

Nine ducklings!