The Backyard Science group regularly publishes The Daily Bucket, which features observations of the world around us. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds, flowers and anything natural or unusual are among the worthy topics.
Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to as we try to understand the patterns that are unwinding around us.
Have you ever been lonely, and started tagging along with a group, acting as if you were part of them, hoping they would accept you? Proceed below the orange NASCAR track for a touching example.
This white duck, probably a Pekins species, showed up a few days ago and began accompanying Ms. Mallard and her eleven young ones. The mallards seem accepting, as this odd duck placidly waddles alongside them, too and fro.
Wiki says the Pekins are domesticated ducks, bred from mallards, so this one may be returning to its roots. In 1873, 25 were imported, and 9 survived their journey to Long Island, until eaten. Ninety-five percent of ducks eaten in the US were Pekins.
In this instance, I am fortunate the ducks turned away, because now I think I see the curled tail feather of the drake on the Pekin.
Wiki says the Pekin are too heavy to fly much, and are gregarious and group with other ducks.
I am wondering if somehow this Pekin strayed away from a nearby farm and stumbled onto the golf course, hooking up with these mallards.
Pekins make great pets. Could/should I bring this one home for my ponds?
PLEASE SOMEONE STOP ME NOW!!!
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"Spotlight on Green News & Views" will be posted every Saturday and Wednesday at 1:00 pm Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.
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Now It's Your Turn What's interesting to you? Please post your own observations and your general location in the comments.
Thank you for reading. I'll respond to comments around lunchtime, PDT.