A Sudden Struggle on the Asphalt
A dark, sharp-toothed polecat lunged forward and sank its jaws toward the female mallard’s wing right along the edge of the pavement.
Feathers scattered across the grey stone as the male mallard stepped squarely between them, spreading his wings wide to shield his mate.
A passing motorcycle slowed to an idle just inches away, the rider watching the rapid scuffle unfold at the roadside.
The male duck beat his broad wings downward, striking the small carnivore across the snout to break its grip.
The female scrambled backward toward the gravel shoulder, tucking her head low while keeping her eyes fixed on the attacker.
Holding Ground Against the Jaws
The polecat hissed, baring its pale needle-sharp teeth and arching its spine into a tight curve.
It sprang forward again with quick, snapping bites, darting low beneath the drake’s outstretched wings.
Each time the predator drove forward, the green-headed male duck pivoted on his orange webbed feet, snapping his beak defensively.
His wings flapped against the hard asphalt, creating a wide physical barrier between the predator and the female behind him.
The polecat turned its head toward the motorcycle’s front wheel, blinking against the sudden proximity of the idling engine.
With a final frustrated snarl, the furry creature spun around and scrambled into the dense green bushes along the bank.
A Safe Retreat to Open Water
The male duck lowered his wings, smoothing his ruffled side feathers with a quick shake of his tail.
He turned his head toward the female, bobbing his bill twice in short, rhythmic nods.
She stepped out from the gravel verge, matching his pace as they waddled side-by-side down the sloping asphalt.
The pair moved past the roadside grass, navigating the rocky bank down toward the calm water’s edge.
Both ducks stepped into the shallow ripple, pushed off the muddy stones, and paddled smoothly out into the open lake beside three other resting waterfowl.
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