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A grandma crouches by a pond at dusk holding seed for mallard ducks while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sits close beside her. 27 / 29

Grandma Ruth Brought Seed to the Pond at Dusk. Copper Brought His Best Manners.

AI imageabyssinian catduck pondevening

Evening is falling over the neighborhood pond, and the streetlamp behind the hedge has just begun to glow. Grandma Ruth crouches on the grassy bank in her chunky knit cardigan, holding out a palm full of seed with a gentle smile. A handsome green-headed drake and a few brown hens float on the dark water, watching her hand. Copper sits right beside her on the bank, ears pricked and eyes fixed intently on the nearest duck, perfectly still. Behind them, cozy houses with lit windows line the far side of the pond.

If you feed ducks, it helps to choose foods that are good for them. Bread fills them up without much nutrition and can pollute the water when uneaten. Better choices include cracked corn, oats, birdseed, chopped lettuce, or thawed frozen peas, offered in small amounts. Some parks discourage feeding wildlife, so check local rules. As for cats near water birds, a calm cat on a harness and leash is the safest approach. Even a well-behaved cat has natural hunting instincts, and keeping them close protects both the birds and your cat.

Copper is showing impressive self-control, choosing to watch rather than pounce. Ruth seems pleased with her calm companion, and the ducks appear entirely unbothered.

Dusk at the pond is quiet and gentle, and with good company it becomes a peaceful end to the day.

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