The Last Day of 2020.  

It was a still grey and somewhat wet day here.  As was my routine for every other day, I carried my kayak down to the Lake and set off on my usual tour of the shoreline.  I'm always on the lookout for various animal activity and this day was no different.

About half way around the Lake I heard and saw a splash right next to the shore.  At first, I was anticipating an otter or maybe even a beaver startled by my approach.  I soon discovered it was a duck tangled in fishing line.  I paddled up next to the flailing bird and was able to get a hold of it with no problem.

The duck had the fishing line entangled around its neck, wings, and body.  A fishing hook was stuck in her tongue that protruded grotesquely from the side of her beak.  She almost instantly quit her flailing when I held her with both hands resting on the sprayskirt of my kayak.  I was aware that dealing with the fish hook might me a problem, but after some intense effort I removed the hook from her tongue.  I then was able to untangle her from the fishline.  Her tongue remained hanging out out and she was obviously hurt, maybe mortally.

I held her in my two hands for a few moments.  I could feel the warmth of her body and even the gentle beating of her heart.  I kept muttering "Poor baby, Poor baby..."  She seemed comforted and calm as I held her.  After a minute or two, I released my hold and she plopped into the water.  Without any hesitation, she flew off toward the middle of the Lake.