So one of the things I’ll miss the most about living in Bothell is having baby duckies within walking distance. This spring was the best. There were lots and lots of babies, and most of them had absolutely no fear. When they saw a human with food, they were all over that. B and I got completely mobbed several times, and it was completely delightful.
The parents would keep an eye on us, but they weren’t really concerned. Apparently everybody who comes through there is fairly kind to the waterfowl. They don’t even mind the noise and chaos of the ballgame crowds. They’ll go right on up and beg from the spectators.
The ducklings are incredible amounts of fun. They’ll climb right into your hands or your bag looking for grub.
On one walk, I got lucky enough to get surrounded by goslings, ducklings, and parents, without getting mauled. It’s eerie, being surrounded by hissing adults. But the babies are so sweet!
They were fresh out of the creek. One of the adults was covered in water droplets, and was kind enough to hold still and let me photograph it.
They hissed at me when I wasn’t quick enough on the draw with the food, but they let their babies crowd up all around me without offering any violence.
I love this particular gosling. It looks so concerned.
The most enchanting thing about that day was the silent gentleman in Chinese clothing who watched us from beneath the trees, smiling gently. He was so delighted with the proceedings. Once I’d finished and walked away, he took over baby feeding duties, and I looked back to see them gathered around his feet. Lovely!
Moments like that make life complete and perfect.
I have made you a whole video full of baby duckie and gosling feeding joy. I hope it brings many giggles and much happiness to your day, my darlings. You deserve it!
Love the one picture of water rolling off a duck’s back…er, goose’s head!
I like the picture of the gentleman surrounded by birds waiting to be fed.
Adorable!
One thing, though, if I may. Bread and popcorn are really not very good for wild fowl: too many empty calories, and it can fill them up to the point where they won’t eat more nutritious fare. Much better would be whole oats, rye or wheat, frozen peas or corn (thawed), brown rice, even veggie scraps. More info here.
Cute overload. Must run off to do some chores now. It should be obvious that feeding them more nutritious scraps out of your crisper bin, while better for the ducks, are much less likely to stir up a little downy feeding frenzy. At least you got today’s footage.
These are so lovely! Adorable duckies and geese being all friendly.
I’ve tried feeding them healthy stuff! They refuse to eat it. They’d rather starve than eat a nutritious meal, so I finally gave up and started giving them whole-wheat bread. Spoiled little brats they are.
Oh, trust me, I’ve tried the healthy foods route. They shun that stuff like the plague. I’ll try grains, but so far, the closest I’ve gotten to healthy with them is nine-grain bread.
Ah, the famed Mother of Duckies! :D
A dewy goose. That sounds like some kind of old British expression. Like, “You remember Malcolm? That fellow is a dewy goose.”
Not sure what it might refer to, though. Maybe someone who gets people around them in trouble, but doesn’t himself suffer from it. You know, the water doesn’t make him wet, but he’ll get you wet if you get too close.
I might be overthinking this.