They're a little heavier than balsa wood and there's very little grain, so it's easier to carve.

She does have some aspirations to be an artist. She's participated in a duck painting contest and got a ribbon for it.

It has a clean and simple style to it; very simple. It has a nice, graceful shape. I was told it captured the personality of that duck.

There's quite a bit of preparation in gathering pictures from my field observations. I sit down and draw a pattern until I'm happy with it.

I gave it a try, but I didn't do very well. Most people don't on their first one. I carved a mallard; at least, it was supposed to be a mallard.

I spend quite a bit of time looking at ducks. I gaze around and spend a lot of time there.