CIRQUE DU WOOD DUCK – BLACKHEATH POND

I live  just around the corner from the Blackheath duck pond, in the beautiful Blue Mountains. It recently  underwent  a complete makeover and re-design. The long-necked turtles were  re-homed at The Rhododendron Gardens. Two metres of silt were removed and will be used elsewhere.

The last time it was drained must have been decades ago. I was intrigued to hear that guns were discovered at the bottom. To my disappointment there was nothing so exciting this time. 😎

Over the years I’ve developed a special relationship with the plump, Australian wood ducks who live at the pond. They are so  good natured and engaging. Of course they had to wander off somewhere while the work was underway.

Now it occurred to me some time ago  that the little creatures must get bored simply swimming about and eating grass in Memorial Park. Another problem is that young admirers (and their misguided parents and guardians) love to feed them bread. They had become so plump that I doubt they would have  passed the pinch test.

What about a few acrobatics to improve their fitness?  Better still, what if I  opened a little circus to entertain locals and tourists?

SOME MONTHS LATER AND ….WE DID IT!

My first choice as a pupil was a young male….they are always so full of bravado and up for anything.

OK Daniel, let’s try balancing on one leg to begin with. I brought him home with me for the initial, dry land lesson. So it’s like this Mate, except at my age balancing is almost impossible.

Back we went to the pond, but dear me, it took a while for him to get the idea. Eyes to the front please ….and concentrate. It’s all to do with the centre of gravity I believe.

Don’t lean the way I did Straighten up….YES!

Right, let’s ‘up the ante’ and try a triple act.

Another two recruits  were brought in and after just  a week or two they were performance ready. The newbies were both female (Lucy and Linda) , which might explain their remarkable aptitude. 😎

Let’s have a bit of fun ladies. Now set a good example by moving exactly one and a half metres  away from Daniel.  That’s it…great.

Right, on the count of three, all stand on one leg.  ‘One, two three!’

Oh my goodness, it worked! Next trick….

One, two, three…‘Fly away’.

Amazing!

We had someone called Wizard Wonga turn up to audition one day, but he failed at the crucial moment. And well he’s not a damn duck is he? And perhaps past the prime of life, like moi (sigh).

Sorry, off you go Wonga.

OK, let’s try some synchronized movement.  You can take a break Daniel, I’m not at all sure you have the talent.  Instead, we’ll have three little maids this time; Linda, Lucy and Penelope-Jane. Ready? Standing perfectly still….

Head tuck to the left!

Take a bow;

Wasn’t that something?? Bring on the Paris Olympics.

The diving was a bit of a disaster considering volunteer Lucy is a duck, but she tried hard;

Daniel….make like a football (surely he can cope with this) Deep head tuck required;

It was some months before we discovered that Daniel actually had a hidden talent. One cold, rainy day we spotted him surfing on a long board. How about that! Well worth incorporating in the performance with a little more practice.

An ethereal finale from Lucy;

Lucy was upset by a nasty review, possibly left by an individual who did not make the grade as a performer. We suspect a cheesed off Wizard Wonga.

EXPANSION

NEW ACT?…..Fellow photographer, Mark Eatwell, took the following image of a wood duck blowing ‘smoke’ rings in frosty air. If only I could incorporate this talented fellow within my circus.

Hang on…we have some feisty youngsters on the scene. They look as if they have the right attitude. I foresee a junior troupe; could be a supporting act with a bit of direction!

 

A WONDERFUL NEW ARENA FOR CIRQUE DU DUCK MARK II?

THE NEW POND – I COULD AUDITION THOSE LAYABOUTS

By the way, poor Daniel may  be an exception, but wood ducks do have athletic ability in their genes. When they are barely a day old the babies have to  make a flying leap to the ground from their  nest hollow high in a  tree. To watch them, CLICK HERE.