A few months ago we expanded our wanderings to the world on the other side of San Jose Boulevard. First we went under the road where it crosses Goodby's Creek. Soon, however, we discovered that even at the busiest times of the morning rush, there are occasional huge gaps in the traffic in both directions at the same time.
One of the most intriguing places we tour over there is the Beauclerc Bay apartment complex. It fronts on the creek, so I imagine it was a prestigious address (for an apartment complex) at one time, probably many decades ago. Now it is dilapidated, and the parts that are still structurally sound enough are home to low income people of all stripes. There are a few dogs there, and many cats of questionable domesticity. But the primary residents are ducks. All along the creek one will always find a plethora of ducks, but the rest of the complex is lousy with them as well. We never know where we might surprise a mama duck off of her nest of eggs. Ducklings ranging from newly hatched to nearly full grown follow their mamas across parking lots, through courtyards or into the water to escape the threat of our zealous bassador. I even watched a duck nonchalantly climb an outside staircase once - a jaw-dropping experience I'll never forget.
Unfortunately, here in the depth of Florida summer, full tours of the complex are out of the question. We wander in there once or twice a week, but in order to get home before the day gets too hot, we have to turn around way too soon and wander out again. We may not see any humans or dogs, but ducks we shall always have with us
