Holy Duck

I would have never believed it if I did not see it for myself. The storm and rains that came through the other day, you know, the one that dropped about 2-3 inches in a short period of time (in our area). It was the storm system that blew in with rain and storms and then followed it up with snow.....that's the one. We went out to feed the animals in the barn, and looked up to see the newly expanded pond completely full of water. No, I would have never guessed that after a 24 hour period of time, that this would happen. Nature is amazing and I could not believe my eyes. I screeched with joy when I saw it.



It was just last weekend that David rented another piece of big equipment (back hoe, I think?). This time, the equipment had tracks instead of wheels (like the last one). And last weekend, with this heavy equipment (and dry land, at that time) he finished the pond, rolled things out, moved dirt, and most importantly - finished the trenches by which the water would be fed to the pond. Then, a waiting game for rain began. For the first time in months, we wanted rain - and it would come.

It was only a week that we had to wait for this enormous amount of rain. Silly us, before the rains came, we walked down to the almost empty pond (now doubled in size) and each of us made mental pictures of where the level was. Low, for sure. We each guessed it might come up a foot or two. After taking those mental images in our minds, we never imaged how shocked we'd be after only 24 hours later.

It was Saturday morning that we would awaken to low temps which would turn from rain, to sleet, to snow. After so much rain on Friday and all Friday night into the morning, the snow appeared next. We were in the barn Saturday morning feeding the animals who were so diligently enjoying the shelter from the elements, when David noticed it. He hollered for me to "look at the pond!" and when I did, a verbal happy squeal flew out of my mouth. We could not resist the urge to drop what we were doing, and make our way through the front pasture to stand in front of this magnificent amount of water. God never stops reminding me of His power and strength. We stood jaw-dropped in front of the pond, as more rain began to pour, which turned to sleet, then snow.



Back in the barn we were each doing the happy dance. We would wait until later in the day, that same day, once the rain and snow left, to go check the trenches and make the needed adjustments manually. And sure enough, much of the afternoon was spent with shovels in our hands and trenches being revamped to allow for proper drainage. It was a lot of work, but we were able to allow water that had settled in new and unusual areas to drain. It's a sense of accomplishment to help water move where you'd like it to go. The next rain will show us if we should take the official Irrigation Test to become Licensed Irrigation Specialist. Just another retirement idea/opportunity besides temporary fence movers and chicken farmers.

As you can imagine though, after the discovery of the full pond (before the afternoon of fine-tune trenching), I knew the first thing I needed to do was......go buy some ducks. Granted, Levi and Whisper are not fans of any fowl being in the pond. They chase off anything that flies in the pond to feed, as heaven forbid they eat the frogs, etc. They are very instinctual in regards to protecting the property, animals and that includes anything that comes into the pond without their permission. But since I knew we'd be spending the afternoon down there digging trenches and revamping a few things, it seemed fitting to go buy some ducks, and teach Levi and Whisper that it's okay for them to be down there in the pond area. After all, we would be there to redirect them, and let them know the ducks are meant to be there.

In the snow, we drive to the local feed store to get alfalfa, goat and sheep food, chicken food and scratch, a couple of square bales of hay - and ducks. White ducks to be specific. While at the Check Out counter, I asked what their best price would be for their ducks. The guy suggested that if we bought any more than 3 ducks, we'd get them for half price. So, I asked David how many we should get. I had no idea what his expectations were, regarding the number we would buy. Oddly, we actually hadn't talked about it yet. David says 5. I turned around and looked at the man behind the counter and said 6. It seemed like a good number to me. I knew if David said 5, then I could realistically ask for anywhere from 4 - 6 safely. I pick 6. After the feed was all loaded up in the back of the truck, it was time to go to their penned area where they keep their chickens, ducks, etc. The guy helping us was very kind, esp as the snow was gently falling from the sky like a gazillion feathers - and making everything slippery.

So David and the guy go in the duck pen, net in hand to capture them. Did I mention it had been raining like crazy the day before. The duck pen was a muddy, poopy brown bath house. To add more excitement to this circus, we had to put the crate the ducks would go in, inside the truck because the bed of the truck was full of hay and feed. That would turn out to be a very poor decision. Ducks that are normally white (but now yellowish brown) should never be put inside a vehicle - even if they are in a crate. I'm hoping others can learn from my bad decision.

I digress. David and the guy capture the first duck, and as it flaps its wings while being put inside the crate inside the truck I realize just how bad they stink.......and how it's getting all inside the truck. Back to the pen for duck #2. That's when things took a bad turn. The duck is bouncing around in the net, David gets thrown off balance, and down he goes. He's now laying in the gooey, brown bath of duck poo all while it's snowing - and the guy is trying hard not to laugh. I'm thinking 'Oh boy, I'll never hear the end of this one'.




After David gets up, the duck is still in the net all while he's covered in duck poo. I know now that he's going to have to walk home in the snow. But turns out, after all 6 ducks are placed in the crate in the truck, having David covered in duck poop probably won't make a huge difference in the impact of it all. The truck stunk so bad, I can't believe either of us did not throw up on the way home.




It was obvious that David would need to go no further than the laundry room when we arrived home. And his clothes would be washed twice. But first, it was about getting the ducks to their shelter up by the pond. That was the easy part in it all. Once we arrived home, he took the crate to their shelter and let them out. They were scared - really scared. I thought they would make a break for the water, but they did not. They huddled in their shelter trying to figure out who just transported them away from their family and friends.



It was at this time that David and I would go change clothes to dig and make some slight trench changes around the pond to help the areas holding water, drain better. And that's what we did. With David's clothes in the washer on 'super, heavy-duty wash' we headed back up to check on the ducks. Levi and Whisper were intrigued for sure. Dinner! is what I think they thought. And each time they would go up to the ducks, we would redirect them, and teach them to leave them alone. Those dogs are smart - and caught on that the ducks were to stay - and okay to be there. I would not know for sure until the next morning, after a long night of darkness, if this would hold true.

After the trenches were adjusted and ducks settled in, we head back up to the house. All the while saying a pray for the ducks and their safety in the darkness to come. Luckily, so far anyway, Levi and Whisper only wanted to eat the duck's food. Now, I really was thinking that the ducks would eat what's out in the pasture and in the pond - which happens to be nothing right now. But since they've been caged and fed for awhile, we shall feed them until nature's food becomes available to them.



The next morning I was curious to go see how the night went for all of them. And sure enough, I'm happy to report all 6 ducks were doing well. They move together as a team, honking the whole way. It appears most of them are males, due to their curled up tails (thank you, Google). We gave them some lettuce and feed, and would check back later in the day to see if they ate. Which they did some, but mostly it was Levi and Whisper enjoying a snack every now and again.

Did they get in the pond? No. Did they go down to it? Yes. And promptly turned around and back to safety in their shelter. Time will take them there. It's not time yet.

I wish to tell David "Thank You!" for doing all the dirty work to bring the ducks home. I sat in the truck all the while during this experience of duck buying. Granted, there was a big clean up I performed to get the truck back in a No-Poop Smell state. But that's different than falling in it.

It's been an interesting and learning experience regarding expanding a pond. It's not as easy as I thought it might be. We had many people come and go who said they would fix the last ones mistakes. All the people we hired did contribute to the effort, but it was David renting equipment himself that really ended up propelling us forward with a completion. See?! Just one more retirement opportunity waiting for him. Back Hoe operator. Especially now that we are getting our Irrigation license, right? CraigsList ads do not ask for credentials.

There's a lot of good news around besides the 6 duck's transition. My dad's foot is healing after having stress fractures - which puts him back on the tennis court. My mom's birthday is coming up - as is David's! Brooke was promoted to Interim PMO Manager. I asked for more time off work in lei of a raise. Time is not something I can buy, so I'll trade it for a raise. And, Lauren got moved and settled in a new place in Dallas. All's well.

More good news? Everyone is thriving through this cold snap and rain/snow. The sheep, horses and donkeys winter coats are in full bloom. The chickens are hardy and handling it well. Frankie is growing back her feathers once missing on her back, and will be re-introduced to the other silkies once that's complete. The goats are loving the insulated dog house, and can all three fit inside it. If they're not inside it, they're usually on top of it.

Here's to a new year with many new learning opportunities,

Cyndi