The Big Duck...Flanders, Long Island

I love Long Island, at least the parts of it that have not been paved over and turned into a strip mall, tract housing, or a Comfort Inn.   Farms and open spaces are becoming quite rare on the island and require excursions farther and farther out toward the east end of the island to find open space,  although I don't recommend doing this during the summer season...

And I love ducks, although I'm not sure why.

So imagine my rapture last week at the confluence of events that occurred when, while we were spending 4 or 5 days in Riverhead Long Island,  I discovered that we were only a 15 or 20 minute drive from the world famous Big Duck of Flanders.

This is the perfect example of form following function, in that it was built in the 1930's by duck farmer Martin Maurer to advertise and sell his wares.  At one time, there were over 90 duck farms on Long Island so this was some pretty forward thinking.  It was originally located on Main Street in Riverhead and over the years it has been moved many times, before landing here.  Actually, given the fragility of its construction and our casual regard for the past, it is a miracle that it still exists at all.  It is the purpose of this blog to hit the road and report back, which I have done, so if you want to know more about the Duck, which is considered one of the architectural wonders of America, there's lots more about it on google.

PS:  As per a recent article about the Big Duck,  by of January 2015, there were only 2 duck farms left on Long Island, but one was in the process of closing, so that by the time of this posting, there will be only one duck farm left on Long Island!!!  How can that be!!!):  Where will all of those famous Long Island ducks come from?    

                                                                Pablo

Addendum...

Always looking for a good place to put orphan photos that I like, but don't seem to fit anywhere else.  This picture was taken on the North Fork of Long Island, on the 25 somewhere around Mattituck.  There are not too many duck farms left out there, but there must be a few since they are still selling duck eggs.

Pablo