"Now, This Is The Truth!!"

On the same Saturday that we 'ran into the wild hogs', we drove out to Miller Reservoir, the water supply for our town and 'our lake'. While driving around, a flock of ducks came running from the water toward our vehicle. One could readily see that they were accustomed to people...and, being fed! There were crackers and cookies in the car that we threw out to them.

I don't go out to the lake often and this was the first time I had seen them. You've heard the expression "strange duck". Well, let me tell you...these are strange ducks! No one in our group knew the species. After we got home, I checked some web sites for strange ducks and found an e-mail address of a person who seemed knowledgeable. I e-mailed some pictures and asked for information. I had a reply within two hours! The person I had e-mailed was Maurice Houston Field, a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin whose expertise is in the area of North American fowl. This is the reply he sent:

They are domesticated Wild Muscovy Ducks. They are a wood duck/perching duck from South America. They are very prevalent in public lakes. Although a good duck to eat people buy the babies because they are like any duckling - cute. They become adults, people tire of them, and they find their way to a public park or lake. They are by far my most often received "What is it."

And, this is the TRUTH!! Thank you, Professor Field!!