Ducks in a Tree...

So I continue to be surprised by the number of things I find surprising...

I'm rushing, as usual, yesterday morning, because I am past my designated departure time for work. Run down to the car, slam it into reverse, navigate around the landscapers in the parking lot... They're trimming, cutting and driving their huge mowers around like crazy people.

I can't help but notice the ducks scurrying around, dodging the mowers; it looked like they were cussing over their shoulders at them as they ran away (the ducks were cussing, not the men). After negotiating the parking lot, I pull out, get to the stop sign that is still technically in 'the community', look both ways,,, and something catches my eye...

It's the smart ones...

Up on a branch, about 8 feet from the ground,

in a tree that looks as though it was created for just this very moment,

are about 5 ducks...

These aren't small mallard ducks,,,

these are those huge ducks, that look as though they have survived

some sort of nuclear disaster.

You know the kind, they always look pissed off,

the feathers on the heads are usually standing on end like an angry dog...

they have red wart like things all over their face,

and are in general speckled from head to toe

(do ducks have toes?).

No pattern to the feathers, just mish-mash....

But there they were...

Preening themselves... looking as calm as can be,,,

as their cohorts scurried around

afraid they were about to be eaten by a mower...

At 41, I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen a duck in a tree,,,

and I grew up around a lake, so that's saying something...

As I pulled away (again forgetting to snap a pic)

I couldn't help but think how nice it would be

if my day turned out to be more like

a 'Duck in a tree'

instead of the alternative...

I've had many days lately

where I've felt

like I had a huge industrial mower chasing me...

Yesterday... not so good...

Today...

I was a Duck in a Tree...