6 a.m. Pouring coffee. Looking out the kitchen window. Something is on the lawn.

It takes my brain a moment to register the fact: I am looking at ducks. First time I have ever seen any in our immediate backyard, rather than out by (or in) the pond.

A pair of mallards was scouting the spot where the pole bird feeder was in winter, still thick with sunflower hulls. They wandered all over the backyard. It was so early I hadn’t let the chickens out yet.

I watched them for about 10 minutes, moving from one window to another. Then they flew away.