The Holdout

Canada Geese Taking flight with one lone mallard not taking part

In the midst of the upward hubub, I notice one lone holdout. Calmly swimming, immune to the seemingly irresistible flock behavior…

A duck! How must this little mallard feel to see this all around her? Like me—an interested onlooker— or completely detached, or maybe just a little like the geese? She’ll be gone in a few hours, maybe on her own migratory path, joined perhaps by a mate—bird societies are so fascinating.

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