Eight little ducks went out one day
over the hills and far away
Mother Duck said quack quack quack quack
… and all of the eight little ducks came back.
That is the last verse of a childhood rhyme. You may have an equivalent version,
I have been reminded of it each time I visit the baby ducklings at Treasury Gardens in Melbourne. They first appeared in early August. Spring did not begin until 1 September, so it was still very icy for a few weeks. I am happy to say there are still eight.
These are Australian Wood Ducks. There are only two species of ducks in the gardens and I have not seen the others with ducklings.
This blog post has my sketches since August . This is the current sketch. The rest of the page I have them listed from early August to now.
12 September
Sometimes they are the highlight of my day in lockdown Melbourne. I go out to the gardens in my one hour allowed exercise. Looking for the ducklings is a goal. I can’t stop long to sketch so it was just been basic lines in watercolour pencil or ink pen, with a bit of colour.
2 August
6 August
16 August
25 August
10 September
From Monday we can go out for recreation for two hours, so I think that means I can stop and sketch. I am looking forward to one day, sitting under a tree, sketching and reading and enjoying the sunshine.
I love all the sketches of your ducks
Love your ducks! Made my day.. Thank you for sharing the joy.
Thank you so much. I sketch for my own enjoyment, but it is so lovely to hear that it makes other people happy too. Have you been sketching?
Thank you. I am so glad you do.