Mallard in our yard, nesting

In May of 2008 we had a female mallard duck that decided to nest in our yard.  I had not cut back the perennials from the previous summer.  

She must have felt it would be a good hiding place.

She blended very well.

She would get off the next now and then and feed.  If we did not have enough to feed on in our yard, she and the male would go down the row of yards.

Look how many eggs she laid.

Unfortunately, these were taken through the screen of our window.  

She kept a very low profile.

Can you see the little one?

As soon as all the eggs are hatched, the female takes the ducklings away from the nest. Again these were taken through the window.  It was the only way.  Once the babies are hatched, she does not come back.

These were a couple more pictures.

If you look hard, I was able to get at least one picture with little ones that were not through the window.

Once the babies are gone, all that is left are the shells.

Every year since them the pair of mallards have come back.  Unfortunately, no more babies.  She has nested in the yard a couple more times, but something has gotten to the eggs.  I would find them destroyed.  Once that happens to the nest, she will not come back.  They do come to my feeders, and hope the other birds will push seeds out for them.