Not Just for Kids
The Legacy of the Urban Duck:
Who Will Save These Souls?
by Sara Kajs
Spring is here and warming the waters — the estuaries, creeks, ponds and harbors. Perhaps you have recently taken a morning or afternoon stroll. And, if so, have you seen the Urban Duck?
What is the Urban Duck? The Urban Duck is one with feathers who lives in the city. Unlike Wood, Wild or Suburban Ducks, Urban Ducks dwell in the corners of local harbors and alleys.
Where is the Urban Duck? The Urban Duck is no urban legend. Its face emerges now that winter has come and gone. Years before, this duck came home in the marshes and estuaries to make a new life. Urban Duck desired the ways of the city, a faster pace of life.
Now, how does the Urban Duck live? No one houses the Urban Duck. It swims among polluted water and floating debris. Has the Urban Duck slipped thru the cemented cracks of the Wildlife Refuge System? Its webbed feet are cold on the pavement — walking, walking, endless road. What an endless road for the Urban Duck.
How does the Urban Duck fly? The oppressive air (this air is filled with soot) lands on the feathered back and pushes down, down the Urban Duck. Society pushes the Urban Duck down.
Oh, when it runs for crumbs, it must scurry to make it there first. Walking and running — running for the crumbs. Cold is the pond for the Urban Duck. Heavy are its feathers; heavy is its heart. Walking, running, walking — the Urban Duck. Destination unknown.
For this story, the Urban Duck could not be reached for comment.
Please Feed the Urban Duck
The Urban Duck Needs You!
Next time you feel the urge to take a morning or afternoon stroll, bring some pieces of bread, bread crust or crackers and feed the Urban Duck. Or you can make Urban Duck Feed before you go out. This is sure to be a hit with the Urban Duck.
- Recipe for Urban Duck Feed
6 pieces of whole wheat bread (this can be old or fresh)
1/4 cup of water
1/3 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/3 cup cooked wild or brown rice (optional)
First, cut off the whole wheat bread’s crust; cut each piece of bread in half and lay out your 12 pieces.
Then sprinkle water over bread so that they are moist — but not soggy. Sprinkle crushed saltine crackers evenly over the bread.
Now, sprinkle the cooked wild rice over the bread.
Fold each piece of bread lengthwise; fold over the other sides.
Roll the bread with fillings up into a ball.
Now you have Urban Duck Feed that they will love you for.
This Week's Kids Stuff
Friday, April 11
Once in a Blue Moon
Kids of all ages enjoy a blazing campfire and celebrate the Earth’s closest heavenly body, the moon. 7:30pm @ King’s Landing Park, King’s Landing Rd., Huntingtown. $3 w/member discounts; rsvp: 410/535-5327.
Saturday, April 12
Leaping Lizards
Kids ages 6+ search the fields, forests and wetlands of the Glendening Preserve for lizards, turtles, frogs and other reptiles and amphibians. Wear boots or shoes that can get wet. 10am-noon @ Sanctuary Wetlands Center, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, off Rts. 258 and 4, Lothian. $2.50 w/age discount; rsvp: 410/741-9330.
Hop Along the Bunny Trail
Kids 10 years & under come to the park to hop along the Easter Bunny’s trail to collect candy and prizes. Bring your Easter basket to carry your loot. noon-2pm @ Lake Waterford Park field office, Pasadena. rsvp: 410/222-6248.
Bird Nest Builders
Kids of all ages and families make your own ‘nest basket’ after you look at different kinds of nests and collect natural materials. 2pm @ Flag Ponds Nature Park, Solomons Island Rd N., off S. Rt. 2 & 4, Lusby. $3 (per basket); rsvp: 410/535-5327.
Sunday, April 13
Cottontail Hayride
Families hop on down the bunny trail for a hayride at Kinder Farm Park w/the rangers. Meet the Easter Bunny and get candy and goodies. 2pm @ River Birch Pavilion, Kinder Farm Park, Millersville. $2 per person; rsvp: 410/222-6115.
