[identity profile] atlanticfriend.livejournal.com 2007-07-02 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I remember visiting this old medieval abbey last year. It was built on top of a hill, and at the bottom you had a river with an small island where you could have a picnic on wooden tables and benches.

No sooner did you step on the island that a flock of Mallards would come out of the river and surround your table, staying just out of reach, but clearly hoping for some bread or chip.

Once you began feeding them, there always was one brave soul, usually a female, wandering right next to you, at your feet, never flying on the bench or the table where all the food was, but waiting patiently to be given something, picking the food from your fingers.

I could have bought a dozen baguettes just to feed these Mallards, they really were a show all by themselves !