It wasn’t a quack

more of a squawk

as we approached the pond

half in shade from the

trees along the trail

At first we could only hear

The squawking was constant

soon the ducks crossed

from hidden to sun shining

in the early morn

Only one of the half dozen

spoke and he was loud

looking for a handout

as they approached the bank

and posed in the sun

Twenty minutes later

on our return, we could

still hear the single duck

not as loud though not silent

the rest content to swim

The silence broken

at least for the ducks

crossing the pool

in and out of the shadows

and snacking on algae

But, they still don’t quack.