Donated to MARS Wildllife Rescue Centre

This little Mallard duckling has an unusual story and thankfully a happy ending. I spotted him mid-May this past year as he waddled along the top of a retaining wall in our back yard. I had caught him out of the corner of my eye through the window in my art room as I was working away. I stopped to get a better look as he marched on behind one of our Hydrangea bushes.  I  had to wait a bit for him to emerge on the other side and lo and behold ... a little Mallard duckling popped out from behind the bush and continued waddling along the top of our retaining wall. I am always looking for opportunities to get possible reference photos to work from and this was as great as any so  I shouted to my husband to keep our dogs inside as I grabbed my camera and raced out to our backyard (we have several Vizslas who would have been very happy to point out where this little fellow was ... all the excitement would have been a bit  risky for this little duckling so fortunately his adventure in our yard happened when they were happily inside having their morning nap ). I was able to get several photos of this little duckling as he plunked himself down and stayed put. I watched him from a distance for quite a while and expected to hear the calls from his mother but sadly he appeared to be on his own. I don't know where he came from as we don't live close to fresh water and the ocean is a 10 minute drive from our house. I can only guess he was hatched somewhere close by in the forest and got separated from his family. 
Thankfully we have an amazing wildlife rescue centre close by and I contacted them and arranged to bring him in where he was welcomed and provided a safe space to grow up and would be released back into the wild when he was ready. He or she... not sure which but either way, this little duckling was fortunate to have the wonderful team at MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre.