The Terrorist Ducks Revisited

Waaaay back in February of 2002, Melissa and Michael were introduced to the terrorist ducks. What did we learn back then? Well, we learned that ducks may look cute, but they are also mean and unhygienic creatures with a pronounced mob mentality. However, they seem to be the major population species at Reifel Bird Santuary and kids seem oblivious to their more unsavoury aspects, so you just put up with them.

Well, today we returned to Reifel Bird Sanctuary, with 2 more children in tow and it was an interesting experience to say the least.

Duck of Terror


Weather: We left our home in Surrey and the sun was shining warm and bright. This was not the case the closer we got to the ocean-side community of Ladner, close unto the sanctuary. There was quite a thick blanket of sea-fog over the area. Everyone had fleece so we weren't worried, but spirits greatly improved when the sun eventually burned the fog off about half-way through our trek on the perimeter trail around the sanctuary.

Spotted: Mucho ducks of the mallard variety. Some not Mallard ducks with a white breast - we haven't figured out what they were yet. A few coots. Sandpipers. A heron. Two bald eagles. Black-capped chickadees, some of whom would land on an outstretched hand if it was offering birdseed.

Alas, poor Madeleine held her hand out for many minutes but not one chickadee would trust her.

Madeleine was of the opinion that she would enjoy "scare ducks!" but we assured her these ducks were quite jaded and would in fact probably try and scare her instead. She took this in silently and then just beamed us her sunny smile - the smile that means, "Oh, alright dad and mum. You go ahead and think whatever you like, but I know what I am doing."

When we finally arrived at a point where we could stop to feed a quacking horde (there were multiple mobs in various parts of the place) she was not intimidated in the least. Michael and Melissa were dumping the seed straight out of their bags on the ground to divert the attention of the feeding-frenzied ducks. Madeleine doled hers out bit by bit.

The twins too were interested in the ducks, though more in a detached, clinical way, from the safety of their stroller. To me it was as if they were wealthy tourists on an eco-tour watching pirhanas skeletonize a hapless cow*.


*Yes, I know this is a myth, but it is still a potent mental image.