A fine feathered friend

©2015 Lydia Hinshaw

Benches aren't only for people

Am I handsome or what?

 DeLAND, FL -- After our traditional laps through the buffet at Brian's Barbecue on Thanksgiving Day, we drove to a park along the St. Johns River at Crow's Bluff, where State Road 44 crosses into Lake County.

 We often observe bird life there -- ospreys, egrets, herons and once upon a time, a bald eagle.

 This was the first time we'd encountered farm fowl.  A gorgeously flamboyant  rooster was hanging around with four Muscovy ducks.  He seemed to be ordering them around.  And he approached us several times, apparently thinking we carry chicken feed in the car.

 The only camera we had with us was Prince Charming's point-and-shoot, and he quickly discovered that he should have charged at least one of his batteries. We left without pictures.

 Saturday, we set out for Lake Apopka, to try out a new wildlife drive we'd read about on another photographer's flickr page. We saw lots of birds and a number of very large alligators.

 From the Apopka area, it's easy to come home via DeLand, so we did.  The rooster was still there, although the ducks appeared to have had enough of him and were napping in the shade.

 He put on a small show for us, strutted around, hopped onto a park bench, and even crowed several time as if it were daybreak instead of early afternoon.

 I'm sure there is a story attached to this bird, and I would certainly like to know what it is.  Escaped from a local farm?  Abandoned because he is by nature a rogue alarm clock?  Psychologically challenged by an attraction to ducks?

 He isn't saying.  And Google hasn't helped.