After more than a 24-hour absence, Honey the Duck reappeared this morning, and my heart leapt as I saw her paddling toward me. She had a respectable breakfast and then retired into the reeds. Her wing feathers are very long now, and I suspect she’ll leave for good when I’m in Poland.
Yes, this cycle of departure and return is an emotional roller coaster, for I do love that damn duck! Who knew I could bond with a mallard?
Here she is this morning; note the distinctive bill stippling that I can use to identify her if she returns. Her speculum glowed a deep purple in the early light:
Here are the bill markings on her left side: 
Honey… How can we miss you if you won’t go away?
It’s like she’s messing with your head, Jerry…or just cannot bear to leave you!
When she does leave, you can always look forward to her return next year for her next brood is ducklings.
” Her speculum glowed a deep purple in the early light.”
Now that’s clearly written by someone who’s deeply smitten.
purple = passion
Eek! Is it purple prose? No, ardent devotion.
And that’s nice writing, too!
That´s a beautiful purple detail.
I am detecting a pattern here.
I just came post the same sentiment, hahaha.
This duck stuff seems to be spreading. I recently received this notice from the City…
“Complaint description: DNS Activity:Other Animal Problem| Duck or goose kept in lower unit of building. entered address: …”
You have us on a duck rollercoaster, too!
She is indeed beautiful…
She might not leave at all Jerry. Mallards are known to ‘give up’ migration. As Canada geese do. Yesterday we saw a chain of Canadas flying over outer Geary St in S.F. Anybody who plays golf knows about Canada geese.
She has to leave as the pond will freeze over and there’s no food. It’s inevitable. If she stays she’ll die.
Ha! We all know that you would NOT just let her die!
“Yes, this cycle of departure and return is an emotional roller coaster, for I do love that damn duck! Who knew I could bond with a mallard?”
I have to admit, I’ve found this whole thing quite hilarious…and rather touching!
“Yes, this cycle of departure and return is an emotional roller coaster, for I do love that damn duck! Who knew I could bond with a mallard?”
I have to admit, I’ve found this whole thing quite hilarious…and rather touching!
There’s an echo in here! 😉
I think I double-clicked, which I guess was too quick for the duplicate comment system to pick up.
Looks like I just picked a whole bouquet of oopsie daisies…
Talk about playing hard to get!
Jer, Jer, Jer: The duck is playing you for the fool!
Well, then, I’m glad to be the fool.
I think Honey wants to spend the winter with you. Better prepare an indoor duck pond!
Wait, she’s probably studying Duck-Polish so she can meet you while you’re away and be able to talk to the natives.