For enormous yellow birds, they sure are stealthy.
For a third summer, giant inflatable ducks have appeared in Maine’s Belfast Bayand officials still don’t know who’s putting them there. But no one is complaining.
“I’m grateful and excited they have returned,” said Dorothy Havey, executive director of the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s very special, and people are so happy to see them.”
Two years ago, a yellow duck with the word “Joy” written on it appeared overnight in the waters off Belfast, and a duck returned the next year bearing the name “Greater Joy.”
On Monday, “Joy” returned overnight along with two larger ducks, which officials at the Belfast Chamber of Commerce have decided are its parents, Havey said.
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“Greater Joy” and “Greatest Joy” are secured next to each other, with “Joy” floating behind them.
The ducks have visited for around two weeks in past summers, but there’s no way to know how long they’ll stay this time around, Havey said. There are a lot of different points around town where people can see the ducks for however long they choose to stay.
Even though Belfast is a small town, Havey said it’s a complete mystery who is putting the ducks in the water.
“I truly have no idea who’s behind it,” Havey said. “They come in under the cover of darkness and disappear the same way.”
Officials are so fond of the ducks that they made them the cover of the 2023 Belfast Regional Guide. Havey said the ducks are “very special,” and she hopes they return year after year, even their source is never revealed.
And maybe the Joy family will continue to grow.
Guess who's back, back again? JOY is back! Tell a friend! And it looks like Mom and Dad have joined her too!...
Posted by Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday, August 28, 2023
Talia Lissauer can be reached at talia.lissauer@globe.com. Follow her on Instgram @_ttphotos.