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An elderly couple in cream sweaters crouches at a park pond feeding mallard ducks while a grey cat sits at the edge. 22 / 37

Frank and Dot Went to Feed the Ducks. Misha Sat Down at the Edge and Stared.

AI imagerussian blueduck pondpark

Mallards paddle in from every direction once the first handful lands. Frank and Dot crouch at the grassy edge of a park pond, both in cream cable-knit sweaters, Frank wearing a light canvas jacket on top. He offers seed from his open palm while Dot leans in beside him, laughing as a drake splashes forward. Hens and drakes crowd the shallows, water rippling around them, and a park bench sits empty on the path behind. Misha sits at the very edge of the bank, close enough to see everything, her green eyes fixed on the ducks with deep, quiet interest and her paws planted firmly on dry ground.

If you enjoy feeding ducks, what you offer matters. Bread is a long-standing tradition, but it provides little nutrition for waterfowl, and uneaten bread can foul the water. Many parks recommend alternatives such as cracked corn, oats, birdseed, chopped lettuce, or frozen peas that have thawed, given in small amounts. Check local rules too, since some parks discourage feeding altogether. As for cats around wildlife, a cat's hunting instinct is strong even when she seems relaxed, so keep her on a secure harness and leash near ponds and birds. That protects the ducks and keeps her from slipping into the water or chasing something into traffic. If she seems overly agitated by birds, a quieter outing or a window view at home may be a better fit for everyone.

Frank and Dot get the joy of a lively pond, and Misha gets the most entertaining show in the park. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

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