As I write this I just got home from a very long day of hiking and viewing nature. It's close to midnight, and I'm very tired. Still, I wanted to get this little story to you, so you can see the ducks that I saw. I hope the pictures do justice to what I'm about to describe.There were more ducks than I had ever seen in one place, and they all came running as soon as they saw me. These ducks are used to being fed by humans, so they saw me as their new hero for the time being. I wish I had more for them than just my camera.
These ducks are still wild, but they are very used to humans. They were following me wherever I went, and if they fell behind or got distracted by something else, all I had to do was snap my fingers and they would run to catch up, just like a pack of puppies.
This picture shows what I saw when I first emerged from behind some trees, and the ducks saw me for the first time. I expected them to move away from me, but they came running towards me from all directions. You can see a couple of them at the top left swimming over to get closer.I wasn't about to try teasing this huge crowd like I did the geese, which incidentally I haven't seen since that day. Can you imagine getting mobbed by hundreds of ducks? That probably would not have happened, but I didn't want to find out.
Even so, they stayed just out of reach from me. If I moved too quickly, they would run a few more feet away, but then waddle right back. There were plenty of quacking sounds for anybody who likes hearing the sound of these friendly birds. Next time I think I'll take some food with me. I hope it will be enough!
Here's one last picture of several of them running after me. I originally intended to end this post before this picture, but I wanted this one in here. I hope you like it.I'm going to try to keep my hiking short tomorrow so I can catch up on things here on the web. Being gone all day for the last few days has left me far behind here, and I'm missing some of my favorite blogs right now. Besides, I am very tired and I really need a rest.
I love to feed the ducks on the river, but I don't think I've ever seen this many ducks at once!
ReplyDeleteGood grief. That is one pack of ducks. I've never seen so many in one place at a time. I'm glad I had your photos because I'd be afraid I'd be pecked to death.
ReplyDeleteLoved your sidebar quiz. Just to let you know I'm a martian.
Wow, you must have come across a duck farm... That's a lot of ducks.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to see a crowd of ducks like this! They do look like a pack of puppies.
ReplyDeletelook at all of those little quackers. next time you'll have to bring a loaf of bread to feed them. maybe you should take the weekends off from adventuring ratty and give yourself some down time.
ReplyDeleteHow funny! I don't think I've ever seen so many ducks together in one spot. I bet they are looking for food!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a big flock of ducks! I love all the photos showing the large group.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit of a shame that they have become so dependent on humans for their food.
It does sound like you need a break Ratty, even adventurers need a vacation sometimes.
Have a great weekend,
SQ
I love ducks, they are so friendly...erm..if you have food (or might have!)
ReplyDeleteWow...they really came to greet you didn't they? They are so cute! They are a good judge of character, Ratty..they knew they had nothing to fear from you and your camera. I swear animals can sense that. Did they talk to those raccoons that ran up your leg?
ReplyDeleteI have not seen such a scene out in the nature. If there is, I do not know whether they will be a part of the dinner.
ReplyDeleteWell didn't you have a ducky day. That is a lot of ducks there. What a cool experience,
ReplyDeleteWow.. you sound like the modern day Pied Piper with a cam instead of a flute! =D
ReplyDeleteThat's such a wonderful and sweet experience at the same time a lil creepy too, to be mobbed by hundreds of them. =D The ducks are really adorable.. and I never knew wild ducks would eagerly follow humans.
John - It's the most I've ever seen too. The last time I was here, it was all geese.
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Mountain Woman - The geese were so funny that I forgot to be afraid. This blog seems to be popular with Martians. :)
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Mike - It's almost like a duck farm. People feed the birds in this place, so they all know they can get a free meal here.
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Icy BC - The ducks were fun. They acted like puppies too.
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PJ - Next time I will definitely bring something for them. My adventuring is my down time, so the weekends are usually my busiest. It's the one thing that takes away my worries, so I do it as much as I can.
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Ashley - It's definitely food they're after. People come here to feed them constantly.
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SquirrelQueen - The ducks are lucky because their food supply here will most likely never run out. There are plenty of people to feed them.
It's usually the rest of my everyday life I need a break from. Seeing nature is usually what invigorates me, more than anything else. :)
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JStantonChandler - They did seem to like me. :)
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Lizzie - They were hoping I had food. I wish I did.
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The Retired One - I'm glad they didn't talk to those raccoons. I don't want ducks trying the same thing the raccoons did.
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Rainfield - Anywhere else they would have been dinner. They're lucky they're in a protected place.
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Ann - It was indeed ducky. They were fun little creatures. I'm glad they liked me.
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Harumi - I felt like a Pied Piper too. It was fun to be near all of them. And you're right, it was a little creepy too. But I'm used to creepy animal encounters like that now. I've had plenty.