When I went downstairs just now to check whether Honey was at the pond, and to feed her if she was, I found her swimming side by side with the giant drake James Pond, otherwise known as Jim. He’s returned! (I’m pretty sure it’s Jim because of the mottled white neck, but I’ll take photos later to get an ID.)
Jim is a gentleman and takes care of his hen. He lets her eat without disturbing her, and eats little himself. (I have to say, though, that Honey wasn’t that interested in eating this morning. Perhaps she had amour on her mind.).
Now it’s too early for the breeding season, and I have no idea whether ducks pair-bond this long before breeding, but Jim seems to be a good mate for Honey. For one thing, he’s HUGE: about 1.5 times her size. He could thus easily protect her from the sexual attention of interloper drakes.
Here they are just a few minutes ago. The photo is not great because it was taken by an iPhone camera in low light.
My name is Professor Ceiling Cat (Emeritus), and I approve of this bonding.
In your approval, are you acting as an Imam or a protective father?
The latter.
Did he chase away the turtles?
Nothing chases away the squirrels. They hibernate in the mud of Botany Pond in the winter. Red Sliders live 20-30 years although some have lived for over 40 years. Potentially, there may still be a red slider who was in Botany Pond when I was in school in the 1970s.
I meant turtles – not squirrels. Although nothing chases away the squirrels either.
Squirrels that hibernate in mud would be amusing.
I dunno, Jim seems to be treating Honey like a monthly pitstop rather than as a loyal mate.
Is this a critique of the hook-up culture that is all the rage on college campuses these days?
No, I’m long removed from collegte campi.
“Jim is a gentleman and takes care of his hen” – Coyne
“It takes a raised-right man to keep a happy hen” – Tom Waits
I do love the “Pond. James Pond” name!
How can you approve the bonding without having met his parents?
You know the old saying, an empty nest is concupiscence’s workshop.
(Well, it oughta be an old saying.)
And how could Jimbo possibly resist, now that Honey has her old zaftig figure back?
Ducks are confounding birds!
Where is James Pond’s nemesis, Ducktor No?
he’s out playing gold with Goldfeather.
🙂