Bicentennial Quilt - Harbor Ducks

Those who live in Essex, and visitors, who find their way to the foot of Main Street, know the joy of the webfooted, feathered friends who inhabit the small area of the waterfront between the Dickinson boathouse and the town dock. The large group of mallards and whatever others of their ilk who wish to join in, are faithfully here no matter what the weather. Summer is of course the most popular time, but even on a gloomy day in winter there are many faithful friends, old and young alike, who bring crackers, bread or "store-bought" bird food. And all of this for the pleasure of watching the ducks maneuver in and out amongst each other, to snap up the hand-outs. Some of the ducks are descendents of ducklings that were raised by local residents in their yards and released into the river. As well as Native Sons, Essex has Native Ducks.