If It Walks Like a Duck!

This is a sad tale of three little orphans. A rag tag band of two different species. Originally, we used to see the little brown duckling with the mom, dad, and five other ducklings on the lake. First there were six, then five, then four, and gradually all the ducklings disappeared except for this one. We think probably feral cats or coyotes got the siblings. And now mom and dad have left this one to fend on his own. Then a week ago, these two white ducks appeared on the scene. They showed up on the middle pond in the neighborhood along with a little bridge at the water's edge to help them get in and out of the water. Evidently, some kids in the neighborhood got the ducks for Easter (I can't believe people still DO that!) and the ducks, of course, got too big to keep at home. So they abandoned them at the lake. The only problem would be that they're totally tame and have no idea what to eat other than bread and crackers that people feed them.

So they've now banded together as a pack of beggars. The minute the white ducks see any humans approaching on foot or bike, they're immediately out of the water and running in that direction quacking loudly for attention. It's hilarious to watch. They're waddling as fast as they can go! Last night we were walking with Saby and she didn't even deter them. Unfortunately, she would love to get at them, and I have a feeling that they won't be long for this world since there are plenty of feral cats and coyotes in the area. When we saw how desperate the three seemed for food, we went back to the house, locked Saby up, and got some bread. This morning, the two white ducks were sprawled on the grass sleeping. I thought they were dead at first. Probably just sleeping off their carb hangover.