On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
ema
Central Park is in bloom, and two ducks now apparently live in the Bethesda fountain:
In this picture, the ducks are on the left side.
The ducks, a boy and a girl, have been living in the Bethesda fountain for at least a month. There is a big lake steps away from the fountain but they ignore it. I’ve filmed them sleeping right next to the fountain’s edge, with lots of people around.
Maybe, to show their solidarity with most New Yorkers who live in tiny apartments, the ducks eschew the spacious real estate for the fountain’s cramped quarters?
Whatever the reason, I worry about them. There’s nothing to eat in the fountain, only coins. And the terrace can get pretty crowded with both people and dogs. I don’t know why the park rangers allow them to be so close to people.
(iPhone 13 Pro)
WaterGirl
This didn’t post at its scheduled time, so we get a late On the Road this morning
edit: That dog is wearing an orange vest – is he one of the part workers? :-)
JPL
It was worth the wait! I love the dog.
MattF
Building visible across the water is the Dakota Apartments.
eclare
Wow, how big is that fountain? You can barely see the ducks in the first photo.
Thanks ema!
twbrandt
The images are very atmospheric. Thanks, ema!
MelissaM
Lovely images. and all I need to know about the Central Park Rangers I learned from Elf.
pieceofpeace
Loving the springlike blossoms and moody, darker contrasting photographs, as (planned well) nature and man-made projects meet. Really enjoyed these.
Yutsano
QUACK!!!
I feel like there’s a children’s book somewhere in the ducks of Central Park. Feel free to grab that writers! I don’t even need credit.
SkyBluePink
Very cool photos!
Josie
@Yutsano:
Have you ever read McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings? Old fashioned but wonderful.
gvg
In Florida, ducks would be safer in a fountain than a lake because of predators like gators and large fish like gar that would eat the ducks and ducklings to come. Fountains have their own hazzards like copper products to kill algae that can harm ducks but not all maintenance uses such. The ducks must be getting food somewhere. I think their instincts may say the pond with clear water no lurking predators is a better bet than a lake.
Miss Bianca
Central Park! With ducks! Glorious!
Donatellonerd
Thank you, ema. the spring daffodils in Central Park are one of the things i miss most …
ema
Thank you all!
Madeleine
Last Wednesday my spouse and I were on a bus heading to the Guggenheim when he spotted a peony in full bloom at the edge of the Park. Change of plans—we turned back for better views of the peony and wandered up to the Conservatory Garden (and beyond). Peonies, irises, lilacs, and more. It was a gorgeous day.
Denali5
@Ema,
Great photos! And the ducks are just ducky! We have mallards on the Erie Canal here in western New York.