Can we sell our house to a duck?

It is beginning to seem like a race against time as our new house begins to look increasingly like a house...

(Note Noah striding up to take ownership)

...while our current house begins to look increasingly like
a liability.   Lots of people are looking at it and making polite comments but we are beginning to sweat out getting a decent offer.

Except today.   

While mowing the lawn, Brian noticed it, just under the diningroom window.




...hidden by the bush

The mother duck was there earlier and I'm sure I'll get a shot of her tomorrow after I sit down and have a long talk with her.  There are important things I need to ask her.

Does she have enough for a cash deposit?   What does she intend to give the bank for collateral if she needs a mortgage?  Or is she expecting to pay rent?

And now I've got more to worry about.  She has probably picked a safer spot than down by the pond where we have our annual resident alligator, but there are a couple of neighborhood cats that sometimes come around, not to mention at least two snakes that live under the house.  

For the time being, Karen and I have decided not to tell Conner.  He is an avid naturalist and often spots turtles, chameleons, bugs, and the annual resident alligator before I do.  But he is also too anxious to go and pick up things and I'm not sure I could keep him away from the nest. 

For the time being, her nest will be my secret.  But if she is late on the May rent payment....