Browse ›
A long-haired brown tabby Maine Coon sits at the edge of a shallow creek watching six yellow ducklings splash in the water. 17 / 32

The Ducklings Found the Creek. The Maine Coon Was Not Ready for This.

AI imagemaine coonducklingscreek

The ducklings have found the creek, and they are making the most of it. Six fluffy yellow babies paddle and splash through a shallow, rippling stream, sending little sprays of water into the air. At the edge, a big brown tabby Maine Coon with a lush ruff and a plumed tail sits with his front paws just at the waterline, watching every move with intense, slightly worried attention. Behind them, the muddy bank is scattered with leaves, roots, and a tipped-over blue barrel, and early spring greenery is just starting to push through.

Most cats are not fans of getting soaked. A wet coat is heavy, slow to dry, and can leave a cat feeling chilled and vulnerable. Maine Coons, though, are often reported to be unusually fascinated by water, batting at dripping faucets, dipping paws into bowls, and sometimes even wading. Their thick, somewhat water-resistant coat may make the experience less unpleasant for them. Still, every cat is different, and no cat should ever be forced into water. If yours enjoys playing with it, a shallow tray or a gently running faucet under supervision can be a fun bit of enrichment.

This big tabby seems content to stay on dry land and serve as lifeguard. The ducklings splash, the creek burbles along, and the cat keeps his post at the edge, ready to supervise for as long as the swimming lesson lasts.

More from this collection

All 32 →
A black curly-coated Devon Rex cat lowers its nose to touch the bills of five yellow ducklings on a sunny porch mat.Five Tiny Bills Stretched Up and One Dark Nose Came Down on the Porch MatA blue point Ragdoll cat stands in a vegetable garden bed at golden hour beside six yellow ducklings among young plants.A Blue Point Ragdoll Toured the Vegetable Patch. Her Crew Arrived on Schedule.
A gray and white Exotic Shorthair cat lies on a cream blanket by a stone fireplace with eight ducklings pressed against it.That Exotic Shorthair Looks Unimpressed. Her Body Language Says Otherwise.A long-haired cream Persian cat lies in a wicker laundry basket of beige towels with eight yellow ducklings beside it.The Towels Were Folded Once. Then the Persian Arrived and the Ducklings Followed.A fluffy white long-haired cat crouches over a cluster of yellow ducklings on snowy ground in a fenced backyard.Snow Covered the Backyard. This Fluffy White Cat Was Hiding Something Underneath.A colorpoint Birman cat with white paws lies on a blue and white checkered blanket next to seven yellow ducklings.Someone Spread a Gingham Blanket on the Kitchen Floor. The Guests Arrived.