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A photo showing a female cane followed by more than 50 ducklings aroused national and international attention, fear and some confusion.
A June 27 photo provided by Brent Cizek shows a snarling community and a large group of ducklings in its wake, on Bemidji Lake in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Brent Cizek / brentcizekphoto.com via AP
"Mum of the Year" some have dreamed of the photo taken by wildlife photographer Brent Cizek on June 27 on Lake Bemidji in Minnesota.
But the scene is best understood as an extreme example of duckling daycare, says an expert. And the mother who opens the way? She could be more accurately described as a grandmother. Perhaps a great-grandmother
The ducks depicted in the photo – the great merganser – are part of a number of species of birds that can take care of their little ones in a "manger", reports the New York Times. In a nursery, several females leave their offspring entrusted to an experienced female
The female duck leading the ducklings on the photo is probably the oldest – or one of the oldest – ducks of the lake, said the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. David Rave, Resources Supervisor.
"She would be a lot like the great-grandmother," said Rave. Most ducks on the lake are probably linked, he said.
Last week, Cizek followed the group and saw the duck added to his crew, bringing his total to 76 ducklings, by his account.
This is an unusually large crib, Rave said. "I saw up to 40-50 in a nursery, but I do not think I saw 70 before."
Contribution: KARE-TV, Minneapolis-Saint Paul and the Associated Press
2017 USATODAY.com
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