The first weekend the world went crazy and closed it’s doors, I didn’t know what to think about what could be looming in the near future. The anxiety had been weighing me down. I needed something to cheer me up. Moments later I happened to look out my dining room window and what would appear, but a flock of baby ducklings following my neighbor’s kids. As an animal lover my heart nearly exploded! They were the cutest little things.
My neighbor’s two young girls, Rian and Finn, headed towards my house anxious to show off their new pets. Of course I took the opportunity to do a little photo shoot with them and took lots and lots of photos with my phone. It was cute and interesting to see the ducks natural instincts unfold. Wherever the girls went, they followed them as is if they were Mama Duck. It was also cute to see them huddle together whenever one of them sat down to rest.
I’m glad I got to hold them the first day they arrived. They got big quick! Since they were still so young and the weather was a bit too chilly, they spent their first week in an incubator in the house. Luckily, they were still allowed out to play…..and for me to take pictures! I swear I’m worse than a kid when it comes time for animals!
After the first week they were able to move outdoors. My neighbor and a friend built a duck pen from scratch in their side yard. The little guys get to live the life of luxury out there! Their pen has a sheltered area for them to sleep, an open feeding area, and a pond to swim. I haven’t been able to take any photos of them swimming in the pond, but I have seen them swim in it. I love to swim so I’m pretty jealous of them.
Within the past two weeks they have nearly tripled in size. We joke around and refer to them as teenage ducks now. Soon my neighbor is going to expand the pen since they’re running out of room to live comfortably. Each duck has a small ankle bracelet made of little colored rubber bands to tell them apart. The leader of the pack is named “Big Marty”. She’s the biggest and keeps the others in line. She’s also got the most personality of the flock.
It’s been a week now since I’ve walked over to see them. That’s a record for me at this point! I can’t wait to see how much bigger they’ve gotten! I am so grateful these little guys became my new neighbors when they did. It’s been such a breath of fresh air to walk over and see them when I’m feeling anxious and want to get out of the house. I’m hoping once their new pen is built I will get the opportunity to paint the fixture with Rian and Finn. Having that opportunity would be another form of therapy for me.
Stean's Beans 