Swimming Pools and Snow Showers

We love swimming!

The girls were delighted to have something deep enough to actually swim in. First, I had to figure out a way for them to get into and out of the tank, and they had to figure out how to use it. I love watching them learn something new. They inspected the stairs I built for them, dabbled at delicious imaginary food while they got a closer look, and finally one of them just casually tried it out--splash! Now they all race up the stairs as fast as they can. To help them get out, I used the paint tray strainer I had used with their indoor pool. They're still getting the hang of that. Usually they just flap and flop. But they spend as long as they can playing in the water. Maisy, who invented the flap and chase game earlier, came up with a new idea. She dives under the water and comes up under one of her sisters, causing astonished squawks. Very sorry not have pictures of that!

Rube Goldberg's Pool Stairs

Mom says it's time to get out.

Feathers everywhere, and the ducks have turned a paler shade of brown. They're right on schedule, too. They must have read the manual.

Look, Mom, we're molting!

And this happened:

Glad spring is back!

Opening Day

At last, the much anticipated moment! Well, actually, no. I took this the day after, when the ducks were finally used to this new hole in their universe. On the big day itself, during a small, socially distanced ceremony attended by Beverly, Tony, Jerry, and John, it took Beverly, laying an enticing trail of spinach, to finally get them to come out.

Decorations included a horseshoe Tony had dug up while building the pen. I would love to know how it came to be in the ground there. Beverly brought a festive garland to hang.

Pleased to find that this new dimension also contained food and water, the ducks settled down to enjoy the view. Now they hang out happily all day and return to their cozy coop at night. Again, not quite true. As I was leaving them to it on the first day, Eggatha announced loudly that they would also be requiring regular trips to the yard and dips in their blue snow-saucer pool.

The Latest from Duckville

Breaking ground for the new duck pen which Tony DiGeronimo is building for me, designed by him. It's going to be gorgeous! Note the fancy door, contributed by Jerry Ganyer, that will lead from their coop to the pen.

Here is the pen a little further along. PCV pipes make up the sides and roof, with boards reinforcing it. The ducks are pretty excited about it. In the distance is a stock tank donated by my neighbor Roger, which will be their swimming pool.  

They've nearly outgrown their blue snow saucer.

Here is Tony at work. The whole thing will be covered in chicken wire. In the background is a cool green door, which Roger also donated.

Look closely--one of them is exercising her wings--probably Maisy. She learned that if she flapped her wings and ran, she could make the other ducks run ahead of her. She invented a new game! Later that day, two of them actually got some altitude--about a foot. My understanding is that adults can fly a short distance, but aren't likely to take off for Florida. We'll see.

Such lovely faces!

And how are you doing? Well, we hope.