“The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”
I’m sure Emma Lazarus wasn’t referring to Mallards, but here on the Concord River, anything goes. Like a hen who’s been wobbling around with an enlarged foot due to fishing line with entangled roots wrapped around her ankle.
I need to get my ducks some boots!
Another hen has a split beak. I’m not sure if she tried to eat a rock or quacked back to her drake, but the bottom portion of her bill is at a very uncomfortable-looking angle.
Talk about a split lip!
She does her best to eat but the other ducks surround her and, basically, harass her (if ducks are capable of harassment) until she gives up and swims away.
It’s hard being at a disadvantage, in any population.
Okay, so you can’t call him a huddled mass, but a Bufflehead preceded the first official snowfall. He was so small and cute as a button.
Bufflehead!
And the snow was exquisite.
First, official (more than a dusting) snowfall of 2013.
So the huddled masses continue to arrive each day, reaching my shore with their expectations of food–lots and lots of food. Emma would be proud.
Blessed be 🙂
concordriverlady.com 
i lived in that house at 10 Elsie ave for 10 years. i loved the river and the view never ceased to awe me. It’s a million dollar view. Saw otters sliding in the snow on the other side. the river was like some slumbering beast, forever changing. I never knew squirrels could swim until I lived there, deer, racoons, coyote swam up to the yard. Don’t miss the flooding though . More then once the water was 3 feet deep in the cellar and half way up the back stairs. And it always takes a week to crest, don’t believe them when they say two days. We had to park at old billerica road and canoe home over the snow banks more than once. I’m Living on Cape cod and in Florida now but still miss my river house. Didn’t like Billerica, the town didn’t take of its land, and people throw trash all over Elsie ave. It was like living with the Clampetts.
Took a boat ride on the St Johns River last week and it made me want to cry, i was filled with longing for the Concord. Might need to talk my husband into a 3rd house on the river down here!
Enjoy.
Hi, I pick up trash along the road everytime I take the dogs for a walk. Had someone dumping sludge a few weeks ago and called the police and they came quickly to catch the jerks. The river today is stunning, with the snow, ice floats and, of course, my ducks. Take a road trip up with your husband for a visit in the spring. The gardens should be coming to life and I would love to meet you. Such a blessing to know you. 🙂
I have enjoyed visiting my old yard via your website . I am so happy it’s in good hands ! I planted a lot of stuff in that yard . The ginger and the rose of Sharon and the kousA dog wood and the Solomon seal and the daylillies . so nice to see they live on and will no doubt outlive me.
my friends thought I was crazy buying that house but it was the only one for me when I saw it and as you know it is spectacular ! You sound like a kindred spirit and your pictures have been an unexpected gift, thank you so much .