Well the ducks have been out in the barn for the past few nights. During the day they spend their time foraging through the grass eating bugs and whatever else they can find. Today I got the *grand* idea of taking them out to the pond for a swim.

I herded them through the gate and towards the water…and they LOVED it! Here is a video of them swimming in the pollen-covered water.

Well, about two hours after the beginning of their swimming session, dark storm clouds started to roll in. Me being the “Momma Duck” I am raced down to the pond to try and herd them back towards the barn so they would be safely in their stall while the storms passed. Well, that was much easier said than done. After some failed attempts to get them out of the water with food, I had mud up to my knees and not much patience left.

Charles and I teamed up to get them inside, just as rain drop started falling. He had to take the john boat out in the water to steer them towards the shore. I was waiting on the shore and ready to grab which ever duck came my way. Sounds simple right? No. Instead of heading towards me, they walked deep into thorny brush and mud. The rain was getting harder and the thunder was getting louder.

I kept climbing after them deeper and deeper into the brush while my feet sank a foot in mud with each step. They turned away from the water and started walking further up the shore and I caught up with them once they got to the fence. At that point, I had 5 ducks scattering in all directions so I knew I had to catch the ring leader (on of the mallards) and the rest would follow. I grabbed him first and tossed him onto the other side of the fence (the area where their barn is), while the rest of the ducks had no idea who to follow. I caught 3 with the next swipe and sent them over the fence one by one. I grabbed the last duck and we headed toward the barn, just in time for the clouds to open up. Needless to say, I’m not sure when I will attempt that again…