Scene from the Sidewalk: Ballston Birds

I was canvassing in Ballston yesterday when I came upon this house on Columbus Street near Washington Boulevard. It had a small pond with a fountain out front and two Mallards were happily swimming in it.

When I knocked on the door, I was less interested in pitching my campaign than I was in hearing about the yard. Were the ducks regular neighborhood nesters?

"They nested last year, but the eggs didn't hatch," the homeowner told me. "I think it was their first time. She didn't seem to have the hang of it yet."