A beautiful morning at the pond...

We got up early this morning to take a long leisurely walk around a pond we love to visit...

it didn't take long for the half grown ducklings to come for a visit. We have never fed them but obviously someone has...

love this shot of this little guy still wet from his or her foraging but keeping an eye out for any fresh handouts....

The path around this pond is quite lovely and meanders through upland as well as pond side beach areas. The early morning sunlight is so pretty coming through the trees and the heat of the day hasn't settled in quite yet. All is still cool and lush. The ovenbirds, catbirds, great crested flycatchers and blue jays were all taking turns making a lot of noise. Towhees were out and about with their young, watching us from a safe distance as all the juniors scratched around in the leaves for bugs.

Scenes like this were plentiful, the ferns still young and springy, offering shade to the plants below and perhaps even a toad or two as well....