Beside the Stream

Two geese spent last winter at Clearwater Farm, Berna in the rear and Lillo in front,

and four ducks arrived early May.

Two weeks later, the ducklings needed more room

and a bobcat appeared on the scene.  Everyone knew when it came because it ripped off Berna’s head and buried both parts in a pile of leaves.  Lillo, the other goose, was lonely and needed protection, so the ducks and geese were penned together by day and locked in a henhouse at night.

Rosie the dog guarded them at night.  People explained that it was a privilege, not a punishment, but Rosie thought it was a lousy deal.  So when the ducks’ feathers came in, the goose and the four ducks moved down to the pond.

This photo was taken mid-June when the cottonwoods bloom, and all was well for a while.  But then the bobcat returned, and started doing what bobcats do. 

First it took Lillo.   Then it took one of the ducks… and another.  By mid-August

there were two ducks left on the pond, and by the end of the month there was one. 

The poor little duck must be lonely, and I’m afraid she’ll be killed by the bobcat too.  

If only I could, I’d tell that old cat: people would like you a whole lot more if you didn’t eat their pets.