Swan and Duck Strategies Outwit our Dog + Recipe for Fruit Shrub drink

I have read descriptions of birds luring predators away from their nest of eggs or fledglings by feigning a broken wing or leg, but, until yesterday, I had never witnessed this.

Swans on our lake most of the summer

At the time, we were enjoying our afternoon kayak around the lake while our dog, Buddy, ran along the shore or paddled alongside.  Across the lake, he startled a duck out of the foliage along the water.  She fluttered in a shallow flight away from him, who watched in fascination and then dived in to swim after her.  We were amazed at how close she let him get to her – within 10 or 12 feet.  Usually, the ducks will fly far off, or the loons will dive and resurface far away, or the gulls will dive bomb him (and us). 

In this case, the duck paddled back and forth in short stints, but inexorably drawing Buddy deeper into the middle of the lake.  Occasionally, she fluttered mere inches above the water.  Her behavior was abnormal, so we wondered if she was hurt.

However, when she reached some particular point in the middle of the 1/2 mile wide lake, she soared off to the east, clearly a capable flyer.  Buddy slowed, disappointed, and headed toward the western shore.  At that point, we turned our kayak around to retrace our path home.  As we did, we saw two, small, fluffy fledglings paddling as fast as their little webbed feet could go, from the shore grasses where their mother had launched her charade.  What a clever and effective ruse to distract the Labrador Retriever.

A few days later, Buddy encountered water fowl with an entirely different strategy. 

Three trumpeter swans were resting on the far side of the lake, shining bright white against the green landscape.  When Buddy spied them, he slowed, trying to figure out what they were because they were SO BIG and stationary.  ((Factoids:  Trumpeter swans are the heaviest flying bird in the world, and one of the longest: about 40 lbs, 5 - 6 ft long, with a wing span of 6 - 8 ft.  What are male and female swans called?  Inquiring minds ask.  Answer:  cobs and pens.  Who knew?) 

 After they glided out into the water, he followed them at a pensive distance.  They commenced their loud, distinctive trumpeting calls that extend long distances and echo off the surrounding mountains.  Apparently, they were calling for reinforcements, because two more flew in from the twin lakes behind our property, forming an intimidating platoon before the naïve dog.  These large and imperious birds did not bother to fly away from Buddy.  With their strong legs and big webbed feet, they paddled just out of his range, exhausting him as he swam around them for 10 – 15 minutes.  Tuckered out, he decided to leave them alone, and head to shore, after which he had to run a longer perimeter than usual to return home.  This was a good lesson for him, because swans can be mean and have been recorded as drowning people that got too close, and surely other mammals, too.   In subsequent days, as the three swans slid past the dock in front of our house, Buddy watched with interest, but made no motion to follow them. 

Our dog certainly sleeps well after these outings.  What does he dream about?  Probably,  “I almost caught her…”

 

RECIPE:  FRUIT SHRUB

a shrub is an old fashioned drink, popular when potable water was not always available.

1:1:1 ratio of juicy fruit (or rhubarb), sugar or honey, and a gentle vinegar (like apple cider/white or red wine/rice).  If you use stronger white vinegar, use less of it.

Heat a pot of fruit and honey into a syrup.  Let that marinate in the refrigerator for several days.  Then add the vinegar.  Taste after several days.  Adjust the proportions.  

The vinegar should add a tang, but the dominant flavor should be the sweet fruit.  

This is refreshing as is or as an addition to still or sparkling water, wine, or vodka.  

Just as in salad dressings or other preparations, vinegar has health benefits in consumption.  This is another version.