I can’t believe it’s almost autumn and time for the leaves to fall. I’ve spent most of the summer working on the second book in the Emma Finch Bird Watching series (due to be released sometime soon), so time has flown by extra fast!
While I do love to write in the summer, there are some other activities I love to partake in. One in particular is travel. On a recent trip to Milwaukee, I was fortunate enough to learn about a very special bird called Gertie the Duck.
According to the legend, Gertie laid several eggs near one of Milwaukee’s frequently traveled bridges. Once the ducklings broke through their shells, she and her surviving brood were relocated to a popular department store’s window for onlookers to observe. Eventually, an effort was organized to relocate Gertie and her chicks to a more duck-appropriate location. To this day, Gertie’s statue still overlooks the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge.
As someone who enjoys birdwatching, it was exciting to learn about a famous bird. I have no doubt that there are more stories like this one in the world, and I hope I get to discover them in my future travels.
End Note: There is lots of other research available about Gertie and her ducklings. If you’re interested, I encourage you to seek out some of the more detailed stories available online.
Nicolette Harpford 