Vanished ducklings

A couple's regular walks along a riverbank became a quiet ritual of observing a duck family. They first noticed a mother duck diligently watching over her seven ducklings, one of which lagged behind. The sight was endearing, though the author wished they could help the struggling chick.

During subsequent walks, the number of ducklings dwindled. First to six, raising concerns about whether the slow swimmer had succumbed to the elements or fallen prey to a predator like a heron, known for snatching ducklings. The author recalled a disturbing video of a heron swallowing a duckling whole, which soured their previous appreciation for the birds.

One memorable afternoon, the couple found the remaining six ducklings huddled together in a tight, fluffy ball, chirping softly. The mother duck watched contentedly. The author captured the unique scene with their phone, proud to share it with their wife, whose memory was sometimes unreliable, and to impress acquaintances.

However, on a recent visit, the ducklings were gone. Only the large mother duck remained, leaving the couple feeling distressed. The author showed his wife the photo of the vanished brood, a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of such moments. A large bird, possibly a gull, circled overhead, a solitary figure against the sky.