CHICKEN DUCK

Having been privileged to have had ducks as regular visitors for several years now, I've spent many hours observing their rituals and habits.
The one thing I've seen time and time again, is their group departure procedure.
This comprises two or three ducks, who've spent considerable time together (a few hours usually) sitting, feeding, courting, but mainly sitting in close proximity to one another, deciding, jointly that it's time to leave.
They all wait for each other to finish whatever preening or bathing or staring they need to do before they feel able to consider 'group take-off'.
When this moment finally comes (and Lord it can take ages some evenings) they each emits a tiny rasping noise (a low-nearly-quack) which is (as the duck expert I know) the advance signal that take-off is agreed between the group and imminent.
The next sequence has to be observed intently, otherwise you'll miss it.
Having agreed to take-off, a line is formed and last minute wing and head angle adjustments are made. And then, the group emits a joint low-level rasping signal and - they're off. In perfect harmony. And they're gone.
I'm left staring at an empty terrace, wondering why I find this such a magical shared moment.

Anyway, getting back to the picture - the guy on the right lost his nerve when I stepped outside - he's clearly an incomer. All the other little guys know what's expected of them and some have even started wearing make-up.