The Duck Pond

The duck pond in our neighborhood is a constant source of enjoyment. Betty Jo (or "The Duck Lady" as we call her) tends to the ducks, fish, and turtles. She brings them food (cat food for the turtles, corn for the carp, dog food for the ducks) and talks to them. The ducks waddle up as soon as she appears.


Though they recognize the hand that feeds them, they lack any motherly instinct. We find their broken eggs all around the pond, even rolled into the water. There have never been any ducklings in the past 4 years.



In addition to numerous turtles and the 4 ducks, the pond is home to a number of very large carp. Here you can see one in relation to the duck. For some reason they were all swimming very close to the edge of the pond today.


Their job is to clean the algae in the pond, but the boys like to help by catching what they call "honey mustard."

I was thrilled that I brought the camera today because we spotted a blue heron looking for dinner. What an amazing bird!






Because the ducks usually have little appetite for the bread crusts and random scraps we bring, we have started feeding a bed of brim in the stream next to the pond. They are enthusiastic about the leftovers as well they should; what other fish is fed organic whole wheat bread, homemade waffles, shortcakes, and soy butter & jelly sandwiches?


And what was Matthew doing during all of this? Sleeping. I think the poor guy has another cold, but I'm not surprised with all the attention he receives from Stephen, king of the snotty nose. We've tried to institute a hands off rule in regard to Matthew's head and face, but it's of little use. After repeating myself for the 100th time the other day, Stephen snuck in another kiss leaving a wet spot on Matthew. When I fussed at him, he innocently looked at me and said, "I just kissed him with my nose." Matthew fought back today with a big, open-mouthed, slobbery kiss on Stephen's forehead.