Quacking-Up

The runner ducks have spent the past two days in their own yard.

As you can see, we still have most of the snow that fell this weekend.

I have noticed, when watching the ducks, that they don't seem to like the snow

on their little webbie toes, and are constantly either standing on one leg,

or lying down and pulling their legs up into their down.

Rather than turn them loose on a world that is snow-covered,

I have decided to keep them in their yard,

where much of the ground is melted

This also gives them the option of going into their house,

where soft, dry bedding is available.

It seems, however, that at least one of them is not happy

with the present arrangement.

The littlest, a female, is constantly quacking her opinions...

and rather loudly!  

Apparently, she has a lot to say.

Really?

You don't say!

Only the females of the runner ducks "quack", the males make a softer sound.

It looks like this little girl is the designated spokes-duck for all five of them!

As for the rest of our ducks...
they all seem to weather the winter just fine...
spending their days in the water.

We keep a couple aerators bubbling at all times,
to keep the pond from freezing completely.
There is always, at the very least, a bubbling sauna available for the ducks in the middle of the pond.

In addition to last summer's mallard babies, who have all grown and
assimilated themselves in the pond duck clan...

we have several visiting pairs who have stayed for many weeks now.

The pond is a peaceful place.
Everyone seems to get along just fine.
And even though the number of males far outweighs the females...
no one seems stressed.
Perhaps we shall have some ducklings this coming spring!

I finished the piece of recycled wool weaving that I started last week...
It's big enough to use as a wrap or a lap robe.