July 8 - john & joyce just returned from holiday in Seattle, Vancouver, Whistler, Nanaimo and Victoria. They were surprised, upon their return, to find out that they were the proud new aunt and uncle of three baby ducklings residing in the big pond with their mother. One of the ducklings is not afraid of anything and comes up to john and joyce wiggling his tiny tail. The mother doesn't seem to object. She is from the pair of Mallards that have been coming to zenpond for a long time. john isn't sure where dad spends his time. Maybe, he is playing "bill"ards with his old "crow"nie's (john apologizes immediately). They are spending most of the day diving from one level of the big waterfall to the next.

July 17 - finally, pictures of the baby ducks. Since they play all day long, mom has to be on-guard 24/7. joyce and john do not know how she does it! The baby ducks wear joyce and john out just watching them dart from place to place. They are everywhere! One of the babies, who joyce and john have name Maverick, does not stay close to mom or the other two. In addition, Maverick has developed a game he plays constantly. He darts from fish to fish pecking at their tail fins. john is sure the koi are developing nervous ticks from the stress of watching out for Maverick all day long. Some of their tails seem less fan-like these days.