A leucistic female mallard and her drake popped up on the stern for a quick snack-and-quack. Courtesy of Disney Princess powers “Wild Things” Specially Formulated Duck And Swan Pellets.
The leucistic mallard in this area is very human-socialized. It’s possible that she’s a domestic crossbreed, but it’s more likely that her unusual color morph attracts attention/is seen as memorable, and so she gets preferentially singled out and fed. OR, also likely, she’s just absurdly in love with the boat. She really, really loves the boat. She gets a bit of food from us, but we think that she’s just excited about the nesting possibilities inherent in our herb garden, which we’re trying to discourage – we won’t be able to move our home if doing so would disturb a nesting bird.
We tend to nickname the local critters, so she became Anna, while the drake is Platy.
Just heard my husband using his Dad Voice.
“Anna, don’t dig up the rosemary.”
“Anna, don’t eat the rosemary.”
“Anna, you’re a duck. You don’t need rosemary.”
“Anna, no.”
“ANNA, NO.”
But Anna yes.
At that point Platy hopped up in the bow and sat in the thyme.
“I don’t know what to do about this,” my husband said.
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