Dabchick & chicks

A few weeks ago I fist met a dabchick at Taylor's Dam in Blenheim.  On a whim, passing through Blenheim on the way home, I decided to detour via the Dam again.  Lo and behold, after less than 5 minutes of looking......Mrs D and her family!  They look fairly well-developed but still one insisted on hitching a ride on mum's back.........until she lifted up out of the water to flap her wings thus ejecting junior!  Pleased I made the detour.

Arrived home to find Minnie was limping heavily and the progress she'd made before I left was n longer evident.  Back to the vet tomorrow.

Extra is the view from the back window of the van this morning - hard to believe the last couple of days haven't been very nice weather............and look at all that fresh snow!!