My New Zealand visitors got up super early so we did first chores before retiring to the porch by the pond to wait for the rain.
It is that deep quiet that comes when the clouds are heavy and still and pale and thinking.
Soon I will make second breakfast. What shall we have?
The youngest member of the party wants to do some work on the pond. He loves frogs and ducks so all is well in his world. The pond attracts all manner of frogs and toads and birds.
He is remaking the waterfall. And as he works the ducks sleep floating like flowers in the pond. Their heads and bills tucked into the feathers on their backs.
Because everything on the farm begins with two steps back the pond work begins with cleaning the gutters so the rain will flow into the pond as well.
He is rearranging the waterfall rocks.
The pond attracts all kinds.
Good morning. It is so quiet even the birds are waiting for the rain.
Take care and Talk soon!
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
43 responses to “The Pond attracts All Kinds”
Those ducks seem to be gro×ng fast. It’s nice to have such energetic visitors.
every morning I think that. Now they have to duck their heads to get through their little doorway!
I hope the five are being nice to Aunty Quacker, though regardless, I’m sure she appreciates the sound of other ducks.
She is so funny! They are locked in at night but of course Quacker will not go in. She is outside their door every morning shrieking at me to let them out! She never does this with the turkeys. So she does recognise that they are part of her family. I think she is more settled with other big birds around.
Oh, that’s so sweet! There are definitely quite strong bonds between ducks.
you know I thought these white ones were pekins but today I saw them running like Indian runner ducks – standing straight up with their heads high in the air. It was raining. But still – it made me pause. And they are not shy. I heard runner ducks were shy.
The original white English duck is an Aylesbury and they were imported into America. They look similar to a Pekin. I would have thought you have got one, the other or a cross between the two. There is a white Indian Runner, but they stand upright more than what I’ve seen from your pictures of the ducklings…
Huh. Ok! Well keep looking for clues!
My parents started out with a fertile Aylesbury male and 5 assorted females. Every single egg they incubated was fertiised. His male offspring all carried his genes, whereas the ladies arrived with a range of colours and markings.
This might be fun!!
Fingers crossed – I hope you can breed them!
Quacker still lays an egg a day! So if she does that next year too she might hatch a clutch!
That would make her so happy! …and you could even swap her eggs with some from the other girls if necessary.
True. Maybe she is not fertile. Well we will have to see!
…it could have been the previous male/s. She really does want to be a mum!
Fingers crossed for the broody Ms. Quacker!!
…and toes!
I love your observation “everything…begins with two steps back.” So true! I call it “but first” moments.
oh yes! First steps/ I love that .
Absolutely, it’s “I need to do that but first I have to do this” and so on and so on.
Yup! And on and on it goes!
how lovely, and confirms how everything is important and connected
Yes. Being connected is one of the keys I think!
Good to see Quacker in the pond even if not alongside the flock. What a perfect visitor. Turn him loose on the project. I can hardly wait to see the results!!
He has made a real difference already – and his love of frogs is a delight! We don’t get frogs like this where they live.
We are getting the rain here now! And all last night too! It’s wonderful! It will raise the lake levels replentish the rivers for kayaking and fill our pond. Nice, steady gentle rain…
I think your rain just reached us. It is bucketing down!
Beautiful soothing words. We have so much rain…wish I could send you some:)
We just had four inches in an hour! Better be careful what I wish for!
Wow….
I think your 4” an hour from yesterday arrived here around 8:30/9 this morning and left 2” in 30min. (But, with the way this year’s been going so far, truly hoping we’re not heading for a drought after that soaking…
Quacker looking serene and those beautiful skeletal leaves. Lovely gentle post, thank you. Antidote to the heavy, heavy rain we are experiencing whilst camping in the UK.
The skeletal leaves are the result of the Japanese Beetle – but strangely beautiful!
Do the grapes benefit from this severe pruning C? (They are grape leaves, I think?)
Yes, in our house my father would say,
Everything is predicated on something else.” Seventy years later, I’m saying it still. Love seeing Quacker in all her splendor and glory!
Yup! A premise as old as time I imagine!
Just gotta love all those old expressions, don’t you? “A stitch in time…”; “An ounce of prevention…” but my absolute favourite of all of GranMa’s sayings was (and still is!) – “He who pays the Piper always calls the Tune”…
The pond would attract me too!
It is a lovely spot.
The ducks are almost fully grown! That was fast. I would take some of that rain, but 4 inches in an hour is dangerous.
Close to seven now. And raining again. 🤭
Ouch! I have always heard that you can see corn growing, I see from your recent post that it is true. Safe travels to Chicago.
Unlock Your Potential NOW with $530 Off Premium Software Solutions! Don’t Let This Opportunity Slip Away – Upgrade Your Tech Game Today!
https://slickwaves.com