by Van Smith
Baltimore, May 12, 2020
Five years ago today, the mallard whose ducklings had hatched in our Fells Point neighbor’s backyard all made their way up his back steps into his kitchen, across the living room, out the front door, and then, having hit the sidewalk, crossed our front door to the Anne Street wharf a half-block away, all in a hurried line, adamant to get to the water. They all plopped in, showing courage many, if not most, of us could not muster. Here’s the video.
Yesterday, this happened:
Then this:
And this:
And then, this:
She chose rush hour to get a move on with her ducklings. Even during the current pandemic, plenty of cars frequent these East Baltimore streets near Patterson Park during rush hour. So our eight-year-old and I ushered them toward the park, helping them cross streets. Some drivers were averse to our clumsy attempts to help the ducklings, but eventually, at Patterson Park Ave., where our efforts were joined by those of many other neighbors and passersby, they all got across the street and into the park, where presumably they headed toward the rowing pond.
Good times!
