The Fifth Duck

Ducks are odd. Their shape is odd; their voices are odd. Who could ever love that billed face? Other ducks obviously do, in their own way.

If you’ve read my other entries about ducks, you’ll remember my fondness for their awkward little selves and that I had taken time to become very familiar with four of their species: Marilyn, Monroe, Larry and Lily.

Over the last several years, I have watched these same four ducks. I have taken pages of notes and hundreds of pictures. While my experiences with them are limited to two months each year, I can safely say that I know these four ducks better than anyone else does. In fact, I may know them better than some human couples I know. After all, how many other couples do I spend several hours with each day, everyday, for 60 days straight in a row, watching their relationship unburdened by any posturing, rationalizing or explanations? Everything I know of Marilyn & Monroe and Lily & Larry I know solely through observation.

Two years ago, I met a fifth duck. I eventually named him Lester. It was several days after the other four appeared that spring before he showed up that first time. Mid-afternoon, my middle child told me that a drake was in the yard. I was surprised, as I had never had a loner in the yard before. My first thought was that Marilyn or Lily was hurt or dead, leaving her mate alone. I wiped my hands dry on the dishtowel and went outside, holding my breath.

It certainly wasn’t Monroe; I felt nearly as sure that it wasn’t Larry. I opened the food container and tossed some out to entice him closer. He eyed me warily, but eventually moved close enough to get some. Just a loner, I thought, snapping a few shots with the camera. After a bit, he waddled to the plum tree and curled up in its shade.

I went back in the house, finished washing the lunch dishes and started on dinner. Just as I slid it in the oven, I heard a familiar tapping. Glancing down the hall, I saw Marilyn on the porch, rapping on the glass down with her bill. She had long lost her fear of me and had actually become quite bold. I gathered my laptop and camera, and adjourned to the porch.

As I had done so many times before, I refilled the water dish, and cast out some food. True to form, Monroe waited while Marilyn ate while Larry pushed past Lily. Sadly, Monroe’s gallantry had not rubbed off on Larry at all. It was then I noticed Lester approaching. He watched as the four moved confidently within a few feet of me. Slowly, he crept forward. Monroe immediately became tense. Anytime Lester came within a few feet of Marilyn, he would nuzzle her, then let out a loud quack at Lester, who would then back off. After two aborted attempts to move hear her, Marilyn waddled off to her normal resting place. This time, instead of feeding while she slept, Monroe sat next to her, head up, eyes constantly on Lester.

Meanwhile, Larry was oblivious to the motions of Lester. Lester made tentative moves toward Lily and finding no reaction from Larry, he moved even closer and in a more determined way. Within seconds, it was over. Lester grabbed Lily by the neck with his bill, held her down and mounted her. By the time Larry reacted, the deed was done. Released, Lily scampered away toward the plum tree. Larry chased Lester until the newcomer took off, then returned to feeding.

“Was Darwin right?” I wondered. Certainly, in light of what I had seen, Larry’s genes were less likely to be passed on than Monroe’s were; and what of Lester? He had invested little to ensure his genes succeeded beyond that first deposit.

I found my mind wandering to people I knew, categorizing them roughly as Monroes, Marilyns, Lilys, Larrys and Lesters. Did the Monroes tend to have a better chance of gene survival? Did the Lesters ever have their genes win out? And if they did win, did the progeny survive without the father in place? The answer seemed obvious. The couples in which the two partners worked together had stronger marriages and children who were more successful. The couples where at least one member was self-centered tended to have relationships that collapsed, either due to intrusion by a newcomer or just deterioration. Their children seemed to suffer as well. Of course, it wasn’t true in 100% of cases, but it did seem to follow in general.