wordsfromanneli

Thoughts, ideas, photos, and stories.

Tag Archives: mallards


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D is for Ducks

At first glance it looks like the farmer grew a crop of mallards.

On second glance we can see that there are widgeons among them.

At third glance, in a close look near the bottom of the photo we can see that the farmer actually grew potatoes. Some were missed and have been unearthed by the ducks to nibble on. It’s not their first choice of food but who knows what other seeds or insects may be hiding alongside the potatoes?

D is for duck, but when they sense danger, they don’t “duck.” They fly!


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No Crowds for Me

 

 

Just when we got settled, away from the gun,

Along comes this dog, for an innocent run.

“He can’t catch us all,” says an old duck so wise,

“But what if it’s me and it means my demise?”

“Most likely it won’t be, so fear not,” I say,

“Fly up in the air if you’re chicken, and pray.

I plan to stay calm and not show him my fear.”

“In that case I’ll be brave beside you, my dear.” 

But flying en masse is not what I prefer,

Wherever I turn, someone tries to deter

My flight path to safety, to freedom, and air.

I’m blocked by the crowds madly flapping up there.

 

Ah, this is more like it, with just a few friends,

We pick and we scrounge for a few odds and ends,

We don’t crash together in each other’s space,

A wonderful, so much more leisurely pace.

 

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Hawkeye

The row of trees provides a perch,

For birds of prey whose sharp eyes search,

The flooded fields that are so fine,

For waterfowl who wish to dine.

 

The foggy drippy days drag on,

I ate a mouse, but now it’s gone,

It’s not enough to fill the gap,

Too cold and wet to take a nap.

These leafless trees don’t camouflage,

No chilly bones do they assuage,

Perhaps a meal of ducks is best,

But snatching one will be a test.

The watchful drakes stand on alert

While others forage in the dirt,

“Don’t bother wasting energy,”

They tell the hawk, “We’ll just fly free.”