There are birds aplenty in the city. Some, like robins and sparrows, can be seen in many locations while others seem to have carved out their territories. Gulls, for example, are plentiful at the reflecting pool near the Capitol while ducks populate the other end of the national mall with a few at the Sculpture Garden.
That's why I stopped short when I saw two ducks walking around on the pavement in Penn Quarter. And other people clearly were amused by their presence as well. We all provided a clear path for them to explore the sidewalk in as much peace as was possible.
There they were in all their glory, a male and female pair. There was no pond and not much foliage to speak of on that street, but there were lots of people and cars and general downtown hubbub. How did they wind up there? Was their navigation system off?
At any rate... what a welcome sight! They gave the humans a moment to pause and smile at them and to remember we share with city with lots of creatures. But as I walked on, I hoped they'd find their way back "home" soon.