Another SooToday.com duck tale

Limpy the Duck is back for a third season at Algoma's Water Tower Inn, with her latest brood of ducklings growing stronger each day on feed generously provided by room service.

Limpy (shown Tuesday supervising a family swim in a specially provided swimming pool) has a split web on her right foot.

She can fly with great dexterity, but on the ground can only hop around with extreme awkwardness.

Thus challenged, it's vital that Limpy nest in only the most hospitable of environments.

We're please to report that for three consecutive years, this discriminating duck has chosen to nest in an enclosed courtyard at Algoma's Water Tower Inn, where the attentive staff have catered to her every need.

Limpy quietly arrived several weeks ago, nesting in an obscure corner of the courtyard until last Friday, when her six ducklings hatched.

Four of them survived and have become favourites with the guests, who repeatedly photograph the family as it splashes in the plastic wading pool installed by hotel staff over the weekend.

Robert Derbyshire narrowly avoids 'quack attack' Guests are free to wander through the courtyard, but in view of Limpy's extreme protectiveness of her little brood, most have found it prudent to keep their distance.

Robert Derbyshire of the Sault Ste. Marie Enterprise Centre was at the Inn to make a presentation today.

Derbyshire unwisely entered the courtyard and approached Limpy and her four offspring with his camera.

We're advised that he narrowly avoided one of the mother duck's trademark dive-bomb "quack attacks" and somehow managed to emerge from the courtyard unscathed.

Hey Mom, this place even has a special registration desk for kids!