Make Way For Ducklings...Or Else.

Kelly needed some time (read: space) to get things ready for a little birthday get-together we were throwing for the bloggerette, so the little girl and I took off for a couple of hours of outdoorness. Bloggerette suggested Stanley Park in Westfield and I concurred. The park isn't officially open until the first of May, can be strolled through at any time of the year. We parked at the back near the duck ponds, some of which is still coated in mushy ice.



Winter appearances were tempered by 50 degree weather, good enough.



And good enough to totally melt the ice on the other sections of pond, where most of the birds were congregated.







Either it was the cold water or it's just that time of year, but the scene could best described as 'pret-ty fris-ky'. I'll spare you the more graphic shots.



Let's just say that freedom reigned.





The bloggerette had spent most of our initial visit completely out of commission. There's nothing like a car ride to put one out cold.



But she finally came around and slowly blinked awake, for yet another "where are we now?" moment. But in just a few minutes she was patrolling about; pointing, yodeling, trying to eat loose bread crumbs on the walk and generally commiserating with any water foul close enough to listen. She was having a grand time...

That's when some park tuffs decided to cross over to our turf, looking for trouble.



And they found it. Bloggerette had staked out her territory and immediately moved to intercept the interlopers.



A brief standoff, and things were starting to look a little hairy...



...but the leader suddenly thought better of it and decided to back down. The whole gang beat it back to their own hood, under the bloggerette's triumphant chirps. (ehh, my suddenly jumping up behind her and waving my arms wildly might have had something to do with the retreat...but she won't know this until she can read...)



As far as she was concerned it was perimeter secure, and victory.



But after a little more time passed and tempers cooled, a shaky truce was brokered. The geese were warily allowed back over for some tossed bread crumbs, with the makings of a friendship soon in effect.