A day with the ducks

Is the price we pay too high ?
Can we ever expect to find a way to deal with the volatility of another human being when all we need is a quiet, uncomplicated life ?
Does the lack of taking on the argument and always attempting to find compromise show a weakness or a strength.
Is finding compromise irrelevant to finding a solution.

Given my current situation, that of a semi monastic, I find great pleasure with my own company. Being on ones own allows you to do things at your own pace or of course, if you so desire not to do them at all. 

One of the drivers and the thing which gets you out and about is someone else's interests. Yesterday I was taken to a bird sanctuary (ducks, geese,) and had a thoroughly pleasant time wandering around the wetlands and ponds in the sanctuary, marvelling at the colours and the friendly habits of these members of the Anatidae family.

Geese are of the same family but stouter with longer elongated necks.

Ducks find their way into cartoons (Daffy and Donald) whilst Geese are mythological and favour mention in Ancient Greece, in numerous stories. 

Finally it is only the "female" duck which "quacks" the Drakes keep quiet !!! 

All this on a trip around a place I hadn't anticipated ever going to. 

The sense of stepping out of the trammelled path of our everyday life into a different environment alters ones perspective and mentally slows and re-jigs the helter skelter pace of our lives into one in which you are more inclined to watch and wait, no longer the centre of your contrived self centred universe.

The sky was cloudless, just a hint of wind blowing in from the north kept the temperature pleasant. People were taking their time, the children sensing their parents enjoyment had filed away their boisterousness and were keen to watch and learn. Children seem to cotton on to the link between them and the wildlife around quickly and it seems such a shame that we place fear in them by parading the dangers of farm animals rather than the natural common sense we all have, even when young, for animals that are larger than us but have no aggressive instinct other than when their young are around.

The men with their cameras long bulky lenses creating that moment when the bird was preening itself or hurtling across the surface of the pond chasing another duck in a territorial display of pond real estate.

It was such a good day we promised to come back a "do" the other half of this extensive exhibition of man's protective caring. A symbol of what we can do which is positive amongst all the wreckage of our other endeavours