It's duckling time! Actually, anytime late spring through summer is duckling time. The first ducklings appear around Mother's Day in May and sometimes ducklings can be seen as late as August. I was surprised to see that the Mallards and American Black Ducks in my backyard have laid an egg. It was laid on my deck, right out in the open with no nest or protection...right on the bare wood! I'm sure it won't last long; the crow was already eyeing it out and if the crow doesn't get it, the raccoons surely will.