Waterfowl War

     The lines were drawn months ago...the epic battle continues...there can be but one victor in (da-da-daaaaa) The Waterfowl War!  
     Months ago when I brought home the ducklings, and then Alice hatched out two goslings, all was calm...peaceful...relaxed.  It was nice having the little fluffer nutters around.  Then the babies grew...and the war began.  The battle over Silver Maple Pond is a daily affair.  It began at the edge of the pond.  Whoever made it there in the morning was pond commander.  At first I made sure to take turns letting the ducks and geese out on opposite days so they both had the opportunity to score the pond for that day.  It seemed to work until they got bigger and bolder.  Now the ducks have completely taken over the pond, leaving the geese with a paltry rubber water bowl and the trough that the sheep sip from and the horses drool in.  Oh sure, they cross the line into enemy territory to get to the pond on and off every day.  There's running, there's wing flapping, and there's a whole lot of hollering going on.  Sometimes the geese win and get some pond time and other times they are beat back to their side of the fence.  Just when it seems like all is well, someone out there has to say smack and it begins all over again.  It's pandemonium!  
     Maybe it's because I ended up with four male ducks (all named Howard so there's no confusion) and there's no female for them to fight over.  Whatever the reason, it's four on four on and off every day...at least for a little while longer.  Do you remember when I brought the ducklings home and Hon said I could keep one male and one female?  You remember I was told that the one with the lighter beak was most definitely a female...well, that guy totally yanked my chain.  She's a he.  No matter how many times I tried to coach that duck into being a girl, it was a no go.  I was really looking forward to duck eggs because they're fantastic to bake with.  Now Hon's looking forward to inviting each of them to dinner.  Then the Waterfowl War will rage no more...unless I can find myself a female Pekin.  Then I'll be able to save at least one of the Howards.
      So, there you have it folks.  The battle rages on as I type.  There was peace for a while and then one of the Howards started slinging what I can only imagine are insults, which got Moe's feathers ruffled.  Moe and his troops have now crossed the line and the Howards are marching over to give them the business.  It's  (da-da-daaaaa) The Waterfowl War!  Smiling & Waving, Sharon  

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