A Tale of Two Ducks

[Tracy]

Yesterday Jack and Quack refused to move from the puddle in the middle of the driveway. I stopped the truck and waited briefly. They seemed oblivious to the tiny fact that a ¾ ton truck could easily turn them into pressed duck. They chose to ignore me. I got out of the truck and shooed them away from the puddle to one side of the driveway. As soon as I turned around and hopped into the truck, they were back in the puddle. I got out and chased them further away thinking (silly human) that surely I would have time to get back into the truck and move past the puddle. Ducks, even the large breeds, can run fast! They beat me back to the puddle. For the third time, I got out of the truck, chased them over to the pine tree, which evened up the odds of me making it to the truck and across the puddle. I did it! They stayed near the pine tree and were giving me the evil hairy duck eyeball. How dare I chase them and drive over their beloved puddle. You might be wondering why I didn’t honk the horn. I have no rational answer expect that honking the horn never entered my head. Besides, past experience has shown that honking horns do not make a duck move.

I believe Mrs. Party Mud Duck, Quack, is trying to hatch eggs. I found a clutch underneath an old garage door section by the woodpile. I also noticed three eggs nearby, shells broken and the contents nowhere to be found. Coop Cat (our feral kitty) has taken to lurking about the woodpile. This morning I caught Jack giving him the evil eyeball before chasing him off. Quack sat on those eggs for a long time today. Our house seems to attract quirky beasts and having a broody domesticated duck shouldn’t surprise me at all. If this were a contest, I’d say Quack is several eggs ahead of Coop Cat. Will we have a new flock of ducklings wandering the yard, an extra fat feral cat or a strange smell of rotten duck eggs coming from the woodpile? Only time will tell.



The chickens are once again taken to bathing in the garden. I planted winter rye last year and what’s come up? Is it winter rye? Nope, it’s a new batch of crab grass. I’m not disheartened. It was a toss up if it would survive the ducks, the chickens, and the wild birds foraging last fall and during the winter. It’s useless to plant any more until I can keep the critters out of there.

The squirrels have been prancing in front of the window teasing Ella and Dude. Although, Ella to her credit notices them far before Dude does. In some respects, Dude is a smart dog. Other times I wonder if there’s a cog loose in his head. He is almost two years old and still likes to chase his tail. We try not to encourage this play because he ends up chewing on something else. I haven’t figured out why he does that. Then again, he’s a male. He’s a dog and he can. Need I say more? According to Rex (being a fellow male), he’s pretty certain that if he could, he would do it too. He’s noticed that I had no comment on matter. I have no idea what he’s trying to imply.

I’m so grateful to watch the unfolding of spring activities in my yard. It is certainly a delicious and fantastic time of year!

[Tracy]

Thank you Alicia and Balsam! I'm happy to share my "yard" with you!

[Balsamo]

That yard is a treasure full of tales that bring smiles in here Tracy. Your story with the ducks bring out smiles. Thanks for sharing!!

[Alicia Hoemsen]

I just love your stories! keep them coming - they bring a smile easily!