I had an encounter the other night that wasn't in a typical nature setting, but it involved as much nature as anything there. This may be a sad little story, but only because I have no way of knowing the ending. Here goes.I didn't really have anything to eat in the house, and it was getting late, so I had to resort to going to a fast food place. There had been thunderstorms off and on all day long, so it was very wet outside, and darker than usual when I pulled up to the speaker at the drive-thru.
As I was giving my order, I noticed a lone little female mallard duck wander through the parking lot right over to the front of my truck. It disappeared from my sight as it got right to the very front of the truck. I finished my order and watched for the duck, because I didn't want to run it over.
I still couldn't see it from inside the truck, so I got out to look for it, even though there was a line of cars behind me. I found the duck standing beside the curb in front of the truck, so I moved toward it to chase it away from danger. I was successful, as it waddled slowly over to the grassy area behind the building.Everything seemed fine, so I got back in the truck to move on my way. As I pulled forward, I looked over to where the duck was. It was standing there looking towards the ground with a depressed look on it's face.
I don't know why the duck was there, or what became of it. It might have been fine. It didn't seem to be injured, but maybe lost. It might have just wanted a place to rest. Whatever the case was, I've felt bad about the situation ever since. That poor little lost duck.
Is there a small pond of water nearby? Perhaps she is nesting around there. I know it sounds strange but Mallards are a strange duck! I hope its okay.
ReplyDeleteI do feel this stray Mallard will be lucky enough to join back its team the next morning or so. There is a migratory bird that has lost its team and occassionly flies to my neighbourbood at night; its loud cry in the night always sadden me.
ReplyDeleteWow! The wat you put it makes me feel sad for the duck
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog through thesocksite. I've enjoyed reading several of your posts. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I feel sorrier for you than the duck! Chances are, nature is going to put this duck where it needs to be. Your love of nature is heart-warming. We have to look on the positive side of this one since as you say we don't know the ending. Cheers, Diane Tucker, Estate Naturalist, Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT
ReplyDeleteYea, I hear you, I can't ever pass an animal that looks lost , out of sorts or just plain sad either. I'll think about them long after the fact and wonder how they made out.
ReplyDeleteYou have heart, and this plant needs many, many more like you.
I think the above poster Diane, go it right when she wrote "nature is going to put this duck where it needs to be." We're just going to have to try and remember that wise quote when we see the next one.
Oh, I saw her--she flew away right after you left. Headed to her pallies in the pond just over there. She quacked, they quacked, and it was a happy reunion. The end.
ReplyDeleteI hope that made you feel better. It did me. :)
Kallen - The place is right near the town, so there are only houses and stores, as far as I know. The duck looked okay, but it seemed lost for some reason.
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Rainfield - I think you're probably right. I try to think it just wanted a place to rest for a few minutes. Maybe it just smelled the food, and was looking for a free meal.
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Kruel - I feel sad for the duck when I think the things I wrote. My logical mind tells me that it's okay. I hope it's right.
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Deb Lauman - Thesocksite is a great place, isn't it? I'm glad you've enjoyed my stories here. Keep coming back, there's always something new and fun.
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Diane - After a little while of thinking about it, my logic is taking over. The duck is most likely okay, but it just looked so sad the last time I saw it. It's always possible it was just looking for some french fries.
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Mary Blackchurch - It was mostly the thought that if I hadn't gotten out of the truck to shoo it away, it might have gotten run over. I'm sure it was fine, but it really looked sad.
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Lin - That cheered me up quite a bit. Thanks! I'll try to think of that as the official ending.
Hi Ratty my guess is it was probably in the habit of hanging around waiting for food from customers. I am sure she has a nice pond for swimming in somewhere close by.
ReplyDeleteUrban animals are always in a rather precarious situation
ReplyDeleteMike - You're probably right. That pitiful look may have even been a practiced thing. I've seen people do it, so why not other animals?
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Sharkbytes - Yeah, I see examples of that every fall with the deer. The police usually have to hunt them to lessen their numbers. It's too dangerous to have them roaming busy streets. Ducks and geese are always getting into things too.
Poor baby!
ReplyDeleteYou were so kind to get out of your truck to assure her safety. That was sweet!
The Retirement Chronicles
That would be 'planet' but come to think of it, plants could use more love from us too.
ReplyDelete;O)
The Retired one - I'm just glad I even saw it there. If not, I might have run it over, and then I'd feel completely terrible.
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Mary - I'm constantly making errors like that. I type too fast, and all sorts of strange things come out. :)
It's funny because when I get a particularly good picture of a plant or animal, I thank them. Nobody else is around then, so I figure it's okay. ;)