Years ago I had a nice, small acreage in the country. It had a quite large pond in the back pasture where my horses were turned out each day, and I was visited by a variety of migrating birds each year. I wanted some ducks of my own, though, so that there would always be some birds on the pond, so I purchased a pair of Mallards who took to my pond like ducks to water.
Sorry! I could not resist!
I named them Fred and Ethel, and whence it was time for me to relocate to a smaller home, I decided to leave them where they were because they were quite happy on the pond there. I think of them every now and again and miss them. I have no idea how long Mallards live, but I am sure they must be passed by now.
Occasionally, I watch P. Allen Smith's Garden Home on PBS. He has quite a large property with geese and other animals. It made me think of my ducks, and I thought how lovely it would be to have a place like his now. Anyway, I wondered do any of you have any waterfowl, e.g. ducks, swans, etc.? If so, how many, and how do you care for them? I fed Fred and Ethel pellets from the feed store as well as bread and such. I think they probably also found various foods in the pond. There was an abundance of fish and quite a few turtles in that pond, too. Ethel laid some eggs after about a year on the pond, but my Lab found them and ate them. I think it traumatised Ethel because she never again laid any eggs.
Wish I had some snaps to share, but that was long before digital photos, etc. I would love to hear about your garden animals and see your snaps, though. Please share!
