The Duckie Story

This is something that is apparently not very strange, but I kinda make it so you just have to put up with me. Its more like a picture story than an actual one, so see and read.

I like exploring different eat-outs and cafes here, and after having a nice "cheddar and peaches panini sandwich" at one such cafe, took a nice stroll to work. On my way, I noticed this lake which was almost frozen and was slowly melting in the warm weather of maybe +2 degrees C or so. I wanted to take some pictures of it. I had my camera handy and off I went to take some shots. I saw these tracks on the snow of webbed feet and wondered what sortof bird would have made those tracks. I took a picture of it and moved on. Seagulls flew above me and came close that I was scared that they might peck at me or something. They just landed close by me and walked around... just around me. In a few seconds, I heard more flying and saw some ducks land very close to me. They walked upto me, and waited.

I took a guess that maybe they get fed when people go for walks around the lake or just come to the lake for a visit or to skate or something. Technically, feeding birds at the lake is forbidden, but I bet people don't really care coz the birds walked around me with such confidence and let me take all the pictures that I wanted, only that they wanted something back for all that trouble of posing and waiting. Slowly, they became a big bunch as they followed me along the pathway.



Here they are, all lined up and following me, as I keep clicking pictures and walking backwards. A couple of them took the courage to walk around me, in anticipation of something. I had a salad with me for my lunch/dinner. I thought I might give them some lettuce from it, but I was scared, coz I didn't want them to become sick or something. Can't really say I am an expert in duck food. There were about 10-15 of them. There was only one male among the whole bunch. The males in the bird species, or any other, for that matter, look very colourful and attractive, supposedly to get the women. Well, I think it is true, I read it somewhere for sure. Anyways he just stood there gawking at the poor ladies who so badly wanted something that they went around me over and over again. I didn't want to disappoint them, so I turned to go.

The male, for some reason (maybe he wasn't hungry), decided not to follow me. The others did. One by one, they filed up and walked with me. On first thought, it seemed as though I had this wonderful gathering of faithful followers who would just go where-ever I went. It was strange to see them all walking with me, behind me with one mind and one purpose - food, ofcourse. I kept talking to them. Why, I have no idea. I am so used to talking to my dogs when I am home in India that I usually have a habit of talking to animals now, or machines, for that matter. Anyways, that did not deter them as they kept following me. I probably should have just said "No! No!" and yelled it over and over. That might have worked.

I came almost to the edge of the lake and from a different direction, another batch of ducks joined the ones that were following me. Now I had about 20-25 ducks behind me, still following me and not stopping one instant.
I got some real good pictures of the ducks upclose, and the one I have on the left here is of young ducks I think. They are not the same brown colour as the other ones, and by the looks on their faces, they just look like they are grown-up babies yet to become "big people". The ducks did not scutter away when I knelt on the snow and took their pictures.






The one on the right her is a close-up of what I think is a female duck. She sure had quite the expression, maybe of stern disappointment, as I only took pictures and gave nothing back.






Here's one of what I think is a male duck. Its got a peacock-ish green coloured head and a not-so-brownish body.

I was now on the sidewalk and ready to hit the road to work. The ducks were now impatient, quacking among themselves and pecking at each other. I thought they would realise that this is the end and that they are not getting anything to eat. Well... maybe not. Some of them decided to follow me on the sidewalk. A good number of them followed me for a minute of so before they gave up and turned back.

Not these three, as you can see. They decided to go on and on. Guess they had more patience than the rest of them. I still was determined not to feed them. They did not hurt me or make any attempts to peck at me or something. So I was confident that though they followed me, nothing will happen anyway.

The poor dears... It was evident that I wasn't going to budge, and I had to hurry to work so I put my camera away too. So there wasn't much in entertainment either. They finally gave up, turned away and went.







Well, thats it. End of story.