We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:32:02 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification This is a post I did in 2004. It might well be my all time favorite post. Given SWWBO's experience with a red-tailed hawk, Rocky and Pebbles yesterday, it just seemed like a good time to reprise it. The nature of blogs is that the archives are mostly for googlers. Who has the time to rummage through the archives of a newly discovered blog? I know I don't, however much I might want to. But I will say, looking through the comments - some of you have been readers for a long time. Thanks! So, meet, or get reacquainted with...... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:57:39 -0600 Awww! Just Awww! And I don't approve of Muscovy Ducks, even. Oh, and, yep, they need long runway and have small rate of climb. They were bred for meat. The Sweety has some mixed-race ducks at the pond at her place; 1/2 Mallard and half Whitefood. The other mallards don't approve. I keep telling her she has to do something about her Canada Geese, other than feed them. She started out with a squadron, now is up to an Air Division, I think. (Well, a group, at least) I need to get there and encourage them to go back to Canada this spring and quit slacking off in Georgia http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70751 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70751 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:04:03 -0600 No rabbits? Heh. They justa gotten tired of the over-population problem... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70744 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70744 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:56:50 -0600 Thanks for sharing. I was at the Quad a few months ago. The geese are still just as annoying. The ducks and deer are still fairly polite. The peacocks tend to run off the chickens. Didn't notice anything strange about the ducks, but wasn't looking. Didn't see any wabbits. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70742 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70742 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:29:32 -0600 I remember when you first posted this, and loved it just as much then as I do now- especially that adorable picture!! Grumpy- that is justice with a capital J!!!! And looking through comments... I can't believe it's been FOUR YEARS.... time flies, eh? Wonder if that baby duck ever did. heh. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70741 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70741 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:07:08 -0600 John, Great story, but there is the other side of the red tail hawk. Back about 2000, I had a bad winter. At the end of 1999, I went down a bunch of times, they were from Grand Mal seizures. I screwed myself up, real well. I did some hospital time, Ugghh! The doctors were not too optimstic, but they still sent me home. I had trouble getting around, but with the help of vet friends, we made it. But as time went along, I started getting better to a point. I really wanted to get out. The weather was great and getting warmer. I made myself a hot cup of black coffee. I go outside on a corner of my house, leaning against a stainless steel bench. I pick up my coffee, here comes a flying pigeon. He takes a "laser guided dump" right into my coffee. Before I could get angry, I saw a hawk dive on that particular pigeon and kill it. My only thought was "JUSTICE!" I wound up smashing the mug, I just could not get it clean. Grumpy http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70736 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70736 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:32:48 -0600 It's still Barb's fault! Cheers http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70734 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-70734 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:54:31 -0600 We all know your affinity to soft boiled noodles - BRAB ;] http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30441 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30441 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 22:01:03 -0600 Sheesh -- *WHAT* is my fault, exactly? *grumble* vista *mumble* want longhorn back doggone it... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30437 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30437 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 21:45:05 -0600 Great yarn there Boss. The mighty hawk bows to the scrubby duck. Humbling don't you say??? QUACK - QUACK http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30415 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30415 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 16:25:54 -0600 1. It's Barb's fault. 2. She lives near that Evil Empire HQ place. 3. It's no excuse. 4. Vista is how MicroSoft spells 'Tiger'. 5. I thinks it's Barb's fault as well. Cheers JMH http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30396 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30396 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 13:44:38 -0600 Fantastic! Very well-told. Thanks for reposting. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30392 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30392 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 13:04:08 -0600 Thanks John...as some others have said, I needed that. That was very sweet. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30391 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30391 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 12:53:56 -0600 It's a good re-run -- I remember reading it the first time :-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30389 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30389 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 12:31:14 -0600 Heh. He knows who he is - and he should be embarassed - he's snarking in here, and missed *exactly* the kind of juicy bit I rely on him for! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30378 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30378 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 09:30:31 -0600 John, shame on you for talking about your wife that way! ;) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30377 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30377 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 09:22:44 -0600 And the Castle Curmudgeon weighs in... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30373 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30373 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 08:34:17 -0600 Oh, this is one of my very favorite posts! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30372 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30372 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 08:33:26 -0600 Bah, re-runs! Cheers http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30371 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30371 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 08:22:40 -0600 What a beautiful story! Your concise, straight-to-the-heart-of-it posts can make one forget what a fine writer you are. Thanks. :) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30369 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30369 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 08:05:47 -0600 That was prime. Got any more? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30368 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30368 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 07:54:28 -0600 YEAH! A Castle Post Hall of Fame. Plenty of room for duckie stories and TINS. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30367 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30367 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 07:41:14 -0600 This is Castle Hall of Fame material...one of your very best efforts, it should be re-run periodically on a bird-related anniversary. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30366 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30366 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 07:34:58 -0600 Man, this story...(sniff). This's what made me a lurker. The Martini-Enfield question made me a commentor. Good stuff.(sniff). http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30364 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-30364 Thu, 04 Aug 2005 07:01:22 -0600 I second the comment about turning it into a children's book. I'll even offer to help illustrate it - but only if I'm given some good reference pictures. :) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7101 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7101 Sun, 26 Sep 2004 15:46:47 -0600 http://www.queensu.ca/security/graphics/2004/int-0405-02.html Cheers JMH]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7085 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7085 Sat, 25 Sep 2004 21:58:36 -0600 That is one good story. Actually would make a great children's book. Maybe something for you to think about? The illustrations would be fantastic, I can picture them now. Not just the story of the Duck, but leave the military in too. Come to think of it, wouldn’t it make a great-ink illustrated book, something like James Herriot (I think that’s how to spell the last name) used to write? Give it some serious thought, will you? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7030 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7030 Fri, 24 Sep 2004 07:06:21 -0600 Cool post John.In doing research/looking for things to post about,etc.,I dwell in a world of beheadings,suicide bombings,anarchy and treason. It was really nice to "visit" a different place,even if only temporarily. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7023 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7023 Fri, 24 Sep 2004 01:48:05 -0600 Great story! Thank you for making me smile. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7019 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7019 Fri, 24 Sep 2004 00:57:44 -0600 Despite being the cold-blooded killer I am... I like anything soft and cuddly. Fur, or feathers. Heck, we spend money to make sure the fish in the pond survive the winter! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7008 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7008 Thu, 23 Sep 2004 14:37:08 -0600 Too cute! I never would have guessed you had a soft spot for ducks. The picture, btw, is classic! The whole post just brings a smile to my face and a chuckle in my heart. Thanks for the story! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7004 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-7004 Thu, 23 Sep 2004 14:24:54 -0600 Great story! Watch out for your web-footed friends! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6995 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6995 Thu, 23 Sep 2004 10:36:58 -0600 You tell a great story Sir. I'll be smiling over that all day! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6980 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6980 Thu, 23 Sep 2004 08:48:36 -0600 Oh I love it! Terrific story. I can't stand geese, but I really like ducks. *grin* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6976 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6976 Thu, 23 Sep 2004 08:31:51 -0600 What a great tale! I've visited the Quad on several occasions during trips to SA, so I was able to put a visual memory with your story. I come to this blog daily and today was a great treat. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6974 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/03/duck.html#comment-6974 Thu, 23 Sep 2004 07:57:46 -0600