I feed my ducks two or three times a day, and have started them on defrosted frozen peas, which are supposed to be good for them. They love them, but the peas sink in the water and to get them the ducks have to “dabble” (turn upside down and catch the peas as they sink). Curiously, the four “ducklings” (teenagers, really) don’t like the defrosted corn I’ve tried, but Mother Duck loves it. Who knows why?
Today at my lunchtime feeding, a group of kids came by from the Lab School (a primary through high school run by the University). The group was on a nature walk, molding leaves and other natural objects into clay to make pottery. (I think it’s the “Clay Creations” program for first and second graders.) When they saw me feeding the ducks, they got all excited and sat down with me. It wasn’t long until they asked to join in, and my supply of peas, oatmeal, mealworms, and Cheerios was soon exhausted after being dispensed into tiny palms. Some of the kids even let the ducks (who are now brazen) take food from their fingers (they don’t hurt with those bills).
The kids had a gazillion questions about the ducks (“can they see color?” what are those blue feathers for?”), and I did my best to answer. It was nice to teach a bit again, and it was huge fun for all.
Here are two photos taken by their teacher (at my request):
How nice that you had some help today!
Too cute🤗
Try oats. Apparently suitable foodstuff and the aquatic birds seem to love it. I feed it to the cygnets at my university and they can’t get enough of it.
Oatmeal is most of the stuff they get in terms of bulk, and it’s good for them.
What a wonderful interlude.
Great to see you in your element professor (e).
Wonderful moment! You made their day, I’m sure.
And it’s always fun to feed ducks with noms and young minds with facts.
I wish people would stop feeding them bread. It’s really unhealthy.
I don’t give them bread.
Obviously, sir. Generally I wish people would stop feeding them bread.
👍🦆😁
Primates and dinosaurs all have a fun time with that great leveller….. food, and.one is not eating the other. 😊
This is a delightful post! The spontaneity of such a fun event is heart warming to see. Everyone looks so happy. Ducks included.
What lovely pics! I bet you made their day. (The ducks and the kids. 🙂 )
Awwww beautiful story
Jerry: This food is expensive.
Duck: Put it on my bill.
Jerry: That is a fowl joke.
Duck: Then do not grouse.
LOL. There’s a simiar joke about a duck buying Chapstick, and the druggist asks him, “Will that be cash or charge?”
Kids are great. All are naturally born scientists, unafraid to ask questions. A few never ‘grow up’ in that sense.
I love seeing the world through the eyes of a child. I need to do more of it.
Thanks.
This just makes me smile… Really.
‘Please sir. Can I have some more?’
Fascinating how a little politeness is a good predictor of well-functioning future members of society.
@Kevin I think it’s a quote from Oliver! [1968]
Yes, ’tis a quote – well used.
Corn is terrible. I agree with the young ducks!
Gonna be a while before you order duck l’orange flambéed at table side again, boss?
Nice way to pass the day. Who’s not happy here?
So happy to see this! Teaching young kids about something they’re really interested in is one of the greatest joys of the world. Who is most enjoying himself/herself in these photos: the ducks, the kids or PCC(E)?!!
I get the impression that feeding the ducks will no longer be a solitary activity.
Wow. Strict dress code for kids in your neighborhood. 😉
Easier to keep them off the lawns that way.
I used to get British weekly kids magazines sent to me. It was a common feature of the stories that the kids were caught or had to take measures to avoid it because of their distinctive school uniforms.
I love these pictures.
Charming!
How impossibly lovely.
Love this! <3
What good fun! Young kids are a blast. So curious about the world, most of them.
Love it. Life is good sometimes.
Just simply adorable.
I think, you would have been a great elementary school teacher, Jerry. 😄
A very Deweyite education!