A Bad Habit: Intervening in Nature

I have an unfortunate and embarrassing bad habit of trying to intervene in the natural progression of nature and survival of the fittest. There is a pigeon story that I won't repeat and now I have barged in on this family of ducks. Mom, Dad, ducklings and, I suppose, the nanny were resting in the shade yesterday at the side of my apartment building. When I stopped to take photos with my iPhone they decided to move on, ducklings running to keep up. Mom's tail feathers in the first photo? A warning to me that I was coming in too close. Dad was even in his attack mode so I proceeded cautiously.

I discovered one little duckling had been left behind. Despite his struggling and loud distress calls, he seemed to be unable to get out of the pine straw. My need to intervene, however well-intended, kicked in. I picked  up the little fellow - a soft little bundle of feathers who put up no fight - and placed him on the concrete. Only, he fell over on his side as if he was dead. All the little brothers and sisters rushed back and pushed him up. He still struggled to walk as he desperately tried to reach them. It was too sad.

I don't know for certain but I think the family had planned to leave this little one behind. I had to walk away and no longer watch or I would be trying to raise a baby duckling right now with two sneaky cats licking their lips. I hope he made it.