Mr Flapper Duck

This morning we started with a great breakfast.

The bagel has Earth Balance non-dairy buttery spread on it, and Olivia made the eggs for us. Thanks, Olivia!

“You’re welcome. How do I get back in my nest to lay another egg?”
Oh, I’ll help. Let me open the door for you, Livi.
“Thank you.”

After breakfast, we had a surprise guest who put on quite a show!

A juvenile bald eagle showed up! Luckily the crows were there to give him a hard time. Here’s a play-by-play of the eagle show.

1. Eagle! Run, chickens! The chickens ran under the shrubbery, even though they weren’t in danger since I was outside with them.

2. Crows on attack. Look at the size difference!

3. Whoops! Upside down eagle. Nice one, crows.

4. Close-up of the eagle.

5. Eagle gives up. This is more trouble than it’s worth.

6. See you later, eagle. Thanks crows!

Here’s a close-up of how BIG the eagle is, compared to the crows.

And here’s the top of the eagle.

We think this was a juvenile bald eagle. We’re sure glad we have an aviary!

After the eagle show, our resident crow kept an eye on the sky, just in case the eagle decided to make another pass.

Then he settled in for a nice nap.

Thank you for keeping such a good eye on the sky for us, crow.
“You’re welcome.”

Racquel L’Oreal the fuzzy muppet came out from under the shrubbery and started hunting for bugs.

O’Malley preened his belly while Petunia settled in for a nap.

Chewy found a comfy spot on the grass to sit down and rest.

And as usual, Flapper took comfy to a whole other level.

Happy weekend napping, and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.

Hi Flapper, how are you doing?

“Oh, hello. I am just preening my feathers after the sky sprinklers got me all wet.”

Your feathers are looking really good, buster.
“Thank you. Now I just preen my belly.”

“And shake the rest of the sprinkles off.”

“Oops. I missed a spot.”

It was a beautiful weekend in the yard.

Flapper and Chewy enjoyed the rain showers and the great sunshine.

Petunia enjoyed hunting for bugs.

“Did you see any bugs?”
I will keep an eye out for them for you, Petunia.

“Thank you.”

O’Malley and I had some deep conversations.

And then he sang a song for me.

That was a beautiful song, O’Malley.
“Thank you.”

The yard is in bloom and everyone is doing fine. What more could I ask for?

“Peas?”
Ha ha, I guess so, Chewy. I could ask for peas. But that was just an expression.

“How about waffles?”
Okay, Racquel. I will ask for peas and waffles for you and Chewy.

“Oh, now the weekend is perfect.”
I agree, Chewy. All we need now is a nap.

“Great idea. Let’s go take a nap.”

“I’m way ahead of you. ZZZzzzz.”

“Well hello there. I am in the people tub tonight. We have a cold snap in Seattle so I am staying indoors.”

“Me and Chewy are warming up in the tub. It is cold water but it is sure warmer than outside.”

“Yeah, it’s cold outside! Meep meep coming through!”

“Okay I’m done.”
Then I’ll carry you back to your nesting spot, Chewy.

“Aaah. Now I have the whole tub to myself.”

“One last snack before bed time.”

Are you all tucked in, Racquel and Olivia?
“Yep. Roger that. We’re good. Good night.”
Goodnight, ladies.

Hey you two… none of that frisky business in the house, you hear?
“Awww fine. I’ll find some other trouble to get into.”

“How about this, Mom?”
No! O’Malley there is NO perching in the house, buster. You get down right now. I think it’s time for bed, young man. Good night everyone.

There’s a cold snap in Seattle for the next few days, and the ducks and rescued chickens are sleeping in the dining room tonight and tomorrow night. We bring them in when the temperatures drop below 25-degrees Fahrenheit. Flapper is funny in the house. He is close to the TV and can hear the TiVo sound effects. When he hears the TiVo go “boop bop” he says “quack quack” back to it. So all evening I hear “boop bop” when I change channels, followed by “quack quack.”

“Boop bop.”
“Quack quack.”

Stay warm, everyone. Brrrr!

We hope you had a great day, too.