Meeting of the Ducks

A Mattingly
Meeting of the Ducks, 2016
Copyright 2016

Was walking down memory lane the other day thinking about my Muscovy ducks that use to range the farm.  Muscovy are known by many as the quackless duck since the only noise they make is a raspy, airy sound.  They are not quackers.  On more than one occasion, I would notice how they gathered in groups of four facing each other in a square-like shape.  Like that you would find on a vintage pecking hens paddle toy.  Heads bobbing and tails wagging as if they were in a serious meeting or conversation.  One particular "meeting" stands out in my memory.  The meeting was one duck short.  Three were in serious discussion as the fourth circled around trying to join the meeting.  It was very obvious this duck was intentionally excluded from the talks and was not going to be allowed to join in.  Would love to know what all that discussion was about!  Found such a duck meeting between a group of Muscovy at a local park the other day...

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