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They are astonishing pictures which offer us a
glimpse into the beginnings of a new life.
Squashed up inside an egg, it's barely possible to make out Lona the
female duckling.
But with innate determination she made her way out and into the world.
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Lona became the latest new-born to successfully hatch thanks to the care
and attention of resident volunteers at Dingle Wildlife and Seal
Sanctuary, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
As these incredible pictures show, after emerging from the cramped
conditions of the shell, Lona was initially looking somewhat inflexible.
Resting on a tiny hand, the little duckling looked a little confused and
scared with her new surroundings. With her legs looking twisted, it
looked like she may have a tricky start to life.
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But that didn't last for very long. Just one day later, Lona looked
completely different.
Resplendent with yellow furry feathers, webbed feet and bright orange
bill she looked every inch the cute little duckling.
Set on 22 acres of beautiful lakes and wetlands, the sanctuary opened in
2010 and is staffed by a team of volunteers, many of them from abroad.
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The centre also rescues orphaned, wounded and starving seal pups and is
regularly home to geese, swans and ducks. |