Coming Back to Sketch Mallards

When I got to the park, there was a bunch of life milling about the place, but no one noticed the mallard standing on one leg at the edge of Inner Island at Step Creek. I could see he had most of his head tucked under his wings, but with his eyes he was checking everything out.

"I just got here, and it's time for me to take my medicine, so I'll go to the drinking fountain for some water and be right back. Can I sketch you then?" I asked.

It really felt like the mallard responded, "You think I believe you're really coming back?"

"No, really!" On the way to the water fountain, I saw another mallard swimming towards Step Creek. "Hey!" I shouted towards it, "tell that mallard at Step Creek I really am coming back!" I think she gave me a look like she didn't know what I was talking about but nodded sure.

I think he was surprised to see me. He was still standing there on one leg. I still don't know how to draw mallard feathers right, but they're letting me try again and again. And mallards like this one, I'm glad stay still--they're much easier to draw--even then, I still have a hard time.

At least mallards just hide their heads under their wings when they can't believe what you've drawn or sometimes they go off flying because they can't hold in their honking any longer.

When I went to the park the following day, I went to the exact same spot. Sure enough, the same mallard was there. "Hey, can I try again? Please?

I sensed a smile-like response and began sketching. This is what I was able to do this time.

Line upon line...