Last fall, when our ducks finally grew up, flew off and never returned, my uncle casually mentioned that maybe they would come back in the spring to nest somewhere on our farm.
And just a few weeks ago, two of the three started to show up again. They'd fly in low together, doing circles around our fields and then move on. We'd see them land at the neighbor's farm. Or watch them fly over down by the stream.
We were all so excited to see them return. It was a big event to have a duck sighting.
By last week they were bravely hanging around in our yard early in the mornings when Dan would leave for work. We knew they were our ducks–wandering around among the cats and the dogs completely unintimidated by their presence. We loved hearing their telltale duck laughter letting us know they were here.
But sadly, this weekend we found one of the girls nestled in the grass alongside the road. She wasn't flying, was bleeding a bit from her beak and had trouble walking. We're not sure what happened to her.
So for now, she's back in her first home while we watch her closely to see if her body can fix itself. She's eating a little bit, drinking a little bit, but mostly resting.
We're hoping our bittersweet reunion with her will have a happy ending.
Last fall, when our ducks finally grew up, flew off and never returned, my uncle casually mentioned that maybe they would come back in the spring to nest somewhere on our farm.
And just a few weeks ago, two of the three started to show up again. They'd fly in low together, doing circles around our fields and then move on. We'd see them land at the neighbor's farm. Or watch them fly over down by the stream.
We were all so excited to see them return. It was a big event to have a duck sighting.
By last week they were bravely hanging around in our yard early in the mornings when Dan would leave for work. We knew they were our ducks–wandering around among the cats and the dogs completely unintimidated by their presence. We loved hearing their telltale duck laughter letting us know they were here.
But sadly, this weekend we found one of the girls nestled in the grass alongside the road. She wasn't flying, was bleeding a bit from her beak and had trouble walking. We're not sure what happened to her.
So for now, she's back in her first home while we watch her closely to see if her body can fix itself. She's eating a little bit, drinking a little bit, but mostly resting.
We're hoping our bittersweet reunion with her will have a happy ending.
oh poor girl. sounds like she’s in good hands.
Also wanted to let you know that I ADORE your photo today at habit, Molly. I was unsure whether to post mine, but it seemed to fit well with all the blues.
thanks, molly! funny how the habit pictures seem to fit together so perfectly some days. so glad you’re there with us this month!
what beautiful and clever creatures! hope she’s better soon 🙂
poor, dear thing. i hope that she recovers soon! so happy she was somewhere you could find her and bring her back to shelter. must be an amazing feeling to see them return home.
I know if I had a broken beak and a sundry of other ouches I would heal well under the loving eye of your family! Please keep us posted on this one!
Oh I do hope she recovers. I didn’t realise it before, but ducks do return to the same place each year – we have a pair of mallards that use our pond as a stop-over for a little while each spring.
What a beautiful wood duck. We have ducks that hang around our uni campus and each faculty gets to know the regulars.
bittersweet, indeed. a lucky duck, though (eek, pardon the pun), to have found such warm and capable hands to keep watch while she fights.
i hope that she recovers soon! so happy she was somewhere you could find her
Just wondering how the duck is doing…
Also, the picture you have up at Habit is beautiful. It brought back so many memories of my oldest holding my youngest when she was brand new. Such sweetness on such a grey day (at least here in MA)
Oh, I hope she is okay… Poor baby. You are a good mama! 🙂