Everywhere I go, ducks appear.
Wood ducks in Rock Creek.
One day recently, that was no exaggeration. I went for a walk, and ducks seemed to be everywhere.
I saw the handsome wood duck pair above, enjoying a swim in Rock Creek. And, as I was exiting the Western Ridge Trail to walk along Ridge Road, I almost tripped over these two mallards.
Two mallard families, with a small army of ducklings, were paddling in Broad Branch stream.
Then, a neighbor pointed out a mallard couple snoozing in the the pond in front of the former Polish ambassador’s residence on Albemarle Street.
All these ducks reminded me of the intrepid family that took up residence in the Linnean and Broad Branch Streams, during their 2014 restoration. In the midst of earth and rock movers and general mayhem, a pair of mallards hatched and raised seven ducklings. I went back several times to check on them.
Two of our neighbors even had a “Make Way for Ducklings” experience with the the family.
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Amy says
A week ago Wednesday there was a mama duck and her 12 ducklings hanging around the bushes next to the fountain in the CVS/Van Ness Giant plaza. I called the Humane Rescue Alliance, which mobilized City Wildlife’s Duck Watch. Luckily, someone had called before I did so one of the volunteers was nearby already. A second volunteer arrived and we shepherded the duck family around Calvert Woodley Liquors to Soapstone Terrace. Mama seemed familiar with the route and a little peeved that we were gently encouraging them from behind. :)
One of the volunteers said that ducks come up from the park to nest and hatch their eggs in that area. Does anyone know why, when they have the whole park at their disposal?
FHC says
What a tale!