This is the adorable moment 12 tiny ducklings leapt down a waterfall under the watchful eye of their proud mother.

Photographer John Hayward captured the spring scenes as the family of ducks splashed about in a stream in Wesley Brook near Shifnal in Shropshire.

The tentative day-old ducklings are seen waddling across the slippery rocks before sliding down into the shallow water on Sunday (13/4) afternoon.

John, 38, who runs Shropshire and Beyond, said: "I was sat having a coffee in my garden when I could hear these tiny ducklings quacking in the stream. "

"There was a very gentle waterfall they were playing on it with their mother watching very nearby. "

"It was wonderful because they kept taking it in turns to try and climb the waterfall and then slide all the way back into the pools at the bottom."

"The ducklings could only have been a day old but were very interested in the water and keeping up with their siblings and their mother. "

"I often travel miles and miles to capture beautiful shots but it goes to show you can also get lucky with nature in your own back garden."