Busy Day

[earthmother45]

Went down to the pond to check on things. Everything is as it was yesterday. I talked to several, and got mixed reactions. Some were very complacent about the whole thing and just shrugged their shoulders; some said it was too bad, but the law of nature; and one very sweet older volunteer named Cleo felt just like I do. I really like her.

Comments

[roaming]

Too bad there's no way to protect the ducks from predators.

I wonder if ducks mourn? Or stay monogamous or find new mates?

Lovely shots, as always.

[earthmother45]

Thank you. Check out my post today for more.

And in answer to your questions about the ducks, check out Des's comment below.

[egg_shell]

Very nice water lily pictures - some of your best ever.

Good for Pete - there's nothing like a new "room" to decorate.

I wish we had 80 degrees right now. I would love to trade you the freezing cold rain that is making my bones ache right now.

[earthmother45]

Thanks! But check out what I got this morning!

Pete very graciously took some of the "stuff" that was cluttering my little shed and put it in his. I have so much more room in mine now. I can actually walk through it without having to move stuff around. So I'm grateful for that.

I wish we could trade, too. Today it's supposed to be in the 80s again, then tomorrow rain and a cold front coming.

[thagirion]

Nature is cold and harsh. The sooner we accept this the better so we won't hurt so much. It is sad this happened but it's nature's way. You can't get too bent out of shape over it. If I myself did I could never raise any pigeons. It would be too heart breaking. To answer you friend's question, yes ducks do mourn. That would be why she was screaming that day you went. There was a strong pair bond there. Higher animals are sentient beings with feelings like us, but they have to move on or nature will take them down too. She will find a new mate. I'm sure by next season you'll see her with lots of little ducklings swimming around. And whatever predator killed the drake surely had his own needs, mate or babies to consider.

[earthmother45]

In your young years, Des, you are very wise. I thank you so much for your very sensible and comforting words. I know everything you said is true, but it was good for me to hear it.

I have learned (more than you'll ever know) from your words many, many times over. I'll always remember when I first saw your video of Gaus, and how touched I was.
Glad you're my friend.

[thagirion]

I felt I had to say them. I didn't like to see you hurting so much over this. I'm glad you can take some of what I say to heart. I know sometimes it's hard not to get attached when you work with an animal so often. Since I was a little kid I wanted to get into pigeons and I told myself to not get attached. I saw the Disney Movie The Pigeon That Worked A Miracle when I was about 10. I realized that having pigeons meant losing several. Last year I kind of broke my own promise and got too attached. Happens when you hand feed the babies if the parents can't. Chris told me I coudln't go on like that. The birds were bringing more pain than joy. So after I "lost" pushy I realized he was right. I wasn't going to quit though and give up on my birds. But I did distance myself a little more. I still love my birds dearly though. But I was super lucky that somone found Pushy and fixed her broken foot. I'd writen her off as dead and then she came back a month later!! I guess because I had accepted her death I don't feel so worried

[kabuldur]

Was Waddles a little less agitated today? Did she eat? It's very sad. I know how you feel and I know that you, like me, will eventually get over it. It is still raw for now.

80 degrees is quite warm. How strange.

So Pete has a new shed. He'll be relieved, as your garage looked quite crowded!

I love the marking on that turtle, and that butterfly looks familiar!

[earthmother45]

Actually, Waddles was quiet yesterday, no quacking at all. Yes, I took a little bread and she ate it.
Des gave very good advice above, and I do feel better.

Today it's supposed to be in the 80s again. But rain and a cold front are coming tomorrow.

Oh, so you remember the garage!? Yes, lots of stuff from the garage went into the shed.

That is a very common butterfly here, and seems to come in all different sizes. But I don't know what it is called.

molten lilies

[east_side_patch]

I loved the photography on the water lilies...amazing colors. They look like copper, very metallic!
Great work!
Regards,
ESP

Re: molten lilies

[earthmother45]

Thank you! Check out the pictures I took this morning. I can hardly believe them myself.