"so he knows he's a duck"

Well, my daydream of being momma to the little ducky has been shattered...by the reality of how gross ducks really are. Basically, they put stuff in one end and manage to produce about 200% more stuff out the other. Even teensy duckling droppings are revolting. I don't like tip-toeing through it at the park and I'm certainly in no position to do so in my own back yard. Besides, the wildlife rescue center said they'd place my little foundling with some other little ducklings around its age "so he would know he's a duck." Wolf's duck may have ruled the dogs at his mom's house (clearly under the delusion that it was alpha-doberman,) but somehow, I think it would have little street cred with the raccoons....

I do think he'll do well once he has his freedom and clearly, his freedom is dear to him. When I went into the storage room to take him to the wildlife center, I found an empty bin. An empty 20" bin. 3.5" duckling sans developed wings....I thought he worked his way up the weeds I threw in to keep him sheltered. I found him as he ran from his hiding space and put him back without his weedy accomplices. 5 minutes later - gone. I still don't know how he did it. I only wish I'd had my camera handy when I found him. He made his way into a box of stuffed animals...and snuggled up between them. I'm pretty sure it's where he spent the night before, as well. It was one of the cutest things we've ever seen....

These pictures will have to suffice to remind us of our little duckling adventure.