Mallard Family at Sunset

I really enjoy visiting the marshlands at any time of year, but it is especially exciting in the springtime when there is a chance of finding nests or seeing broods of young birds. This is a marsh along the eastern seaboard. We had had an exciting day observing laughing gulls, oystercatchers and ospreys. At the end of the day, I was lingering to enjoy the patterns of glowing light and strong dark silhouettes. The scene was very satisfying, even from the strictly abstract point of view, but my excitement was enhanced when a little piece of silhouette detached itself and became a hen mallard with her brood of downy ducklings hurrying to find a safe place for the night. – RB