A Dangerous Roadside Trap
The mother duck shook her head frantically against the gravel shoulder as traffic roared past inches away.
A crumpled aluminum soda can was lodged tight over her entire upper bill and eyes.
Behind her, a cluster of yellow ducklings huddled close to the sharp road edge, following her erratic steps.
Cars whipped past, creating gusts of wind that ruffled her feathers and pushed the small brood toward the water.
Blind and disoriented, she stumbled along the narrow dirt berm separating the asphalt lane from the lake.
An Unexpected Stop
A motorcycle slowed along the shoulder, its headlight gleaming against the pavement.
The rider pulled to a halt, kicked down the stand, and cut the engine.
Dressed in black protective leather and a full-face helmet, the rider stepped onto the gravel path.
He dropped to one knee, lowering his posture so he was level with the panicked bird.
The mother duck froze in place, her ducklings scattering into a tight cluster behind her tail feathers.
A Delicate Extraction
The rider reached forward with gloved fingers, moving slowly toward the duck’s head.
He braced the duck’s body with one arm to keep her steady against the rocky slope.
With his gloved right hand, he pinched the edges of the crushed can.
The metal had wedged tightly over her beak, refusing to slide free on the first tug.
He adjusted his grip, gently working the jagged aluminum back and forth over her bill.
With a firm, careful pull, the tin can slipped off, exposing her bright, clear eyes.
Returning to the Water
The duck shook her head vigorously, blinking in the bright afternoon sunlight.
She took two steps backward, turning her attention toward the small ducklings chirping beside her feet.
The motorcyclist stood up slowly, stepping back toward his bike to clear the path.
He crouched down again near the roadside, watching from a safe distance.
The mother duck led her line of ducklings down the pebble slope and waddled directly toward the open water.
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