Ducklings leaving their nest with mama

Mama Mallard making sure it’s safe to leave the nest. A few of her eggs failed to hatch, so like a good mama she waited, because she didn’t want to leave any babies behind. Our neighbor was mowing his lawn so she was reluctant to leave. He saw what was happening and stopped mowing for her to lead her ducklings to the lake to get something to eat. They were getting restless and it looked like they were trying to eat the mulch.