A family of spot-billed ducks, tottling together towards Sandanike Lake

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120612-00000302-rtn-l26

Sent out on June 12, 5:43PM by the Ryoutan Daily Shinbum

Aiming for the lake, a family of spot billed ducks cross a roadway (Photo taken by zoo director Toshikuni Nihonmatsu)

On the 11th, in Sandanike Zoo (Japanese site) of Izaki, Fukuchiyama City, a family of wild ducks were spotted crossing a road by zoo director Toshikuni Nihonmatsu (67). The figures of chicks tottering behind came into view, continuing after the mother. Park visitors yelled out "Cute!" as they squinted their eyes for a better view.

The family was spotted around 2:00PM on the 11th. From the space between a small storeroom behind the park's office, one adult and 10 chicks were observed. After going past the office, they crossed the road in front of the zoo.

Though cars were travelling the road, driver's stopped, offering the right of way to the family of ducks. The ducks continued on their path toward Sandan Lake, arriving safely.

Zoo Director Nihonmatsu commented "A nest was created on the side of the storeroom, and we expected the eggs to hatch. We were quite agitated while they were crossing the road, though it also was really cute. Perhaps we'll be able to see them swimming in the lake."
 　

Original text:
カルガモ親子ヨチヨチ 三段池へそろって移動
両丹日日新聞 6月12日(火)17時43分配信

池を目指し、道路を歩くカルガモ親子（二本松園長撮影）

福知山市猪崎、三段池公園内にある市動物園で１１日、野生のカルガモの親子が歩いているのを、二本松俊邦園長（６７）が見つけた。親鳥に続いてヨチヨチと歩く雛（ひな）の姿に、来園者たちも「かわいい」と目を細めた。

親子が現れたのは１１日午後２時ごろ。園の事務所裏にある物置小屋の隙間から親鳥１羽と雛１０羽が姿を見せ、事務所横を通り過ぎ、園前の道路を横切っていった。

道路では自動車が通りがかったが、ドライバーが止まってカルガモ親子の“行進”に道を譲った。親子はそのまま三段池へと続く道を歩き、無事に池へたどりついた。

二本松園長は「物置小屋のそばに巣を作り、卵をかえしたのだと思われます。わたしたちに気付いても動じず、本当にかわいかった。池で泳ぐ姿が見ることが出来るかもしれません」と話していた。