Is it possible what you're finding as a lump could be the little ducks craw? This is at the front of the neck above the breast bone and can become as large a a walnut in this age duckling. The pinkness you're seeing may also be the skin with the down thinning due to the stretch. The craw is where food is stored until it's digested. It's a very good idea to provide something in the form of gravel, sand, this helps grind the food in the craw. For very young chicks and ducks I used parakeet gravel. A few good pinches when ever I freshen the food. This might not be on target but a full craw on a small duck can very well look like a swelling. The swelling should be less promient the first thing before morning feeding. And will increase in size as the day goes on.. Hope will Beacon grows to be a big guy/girl. So cute.

I agree with eibren. After our accidental duck came to live with us, I went right to the Net to find out about Avian Flu. I think it may be closer than we think it is. I for one am being extremely careful. After holding the ducks and chickens I wash my hands with hot water and soap and even put a tiny amount of bleach on my hands and work it up under my fingernails. It's well worth at least being aware of the problem and have ANY symptom that fits checked out immediately and NOT by the Quick Med place! It was close by and I didn't have the energy to drive into Boise to my regular guy. But it was him, my regular doctor, who knew what was wrong and treated me correctly. When I went to the doc (my hubby drove) and mentioned Avian Flu he had no idea what the heck I was talking about since it wasn't HERE yet. He'd heard of it... Anyway, I was okay after I had a liter and a half of saline and other goodies pumped into my arm. I was alarmingly dehydrated! I had no idea. I was just working along like I always do and then I was sick, sick, sick and having the most colorful waking dreams. (Hallucinations) When I began to tell my husband about the beautiful shapes and colors I was seeing...Well...We are 1960's CA Bay Area survivors! He knew right away that I was hallucinating. I thought it was very pleasant and I kind of hated to give it up! LOL So, seriously, everybody who works outside, please remember what I forgot to do: Drink LOTS of water.

The transformation very much depends on your budget and comps. If there are funds available for upgrades, it's very possible. Put a new portico over the front entrance, new siding, replace old aluminum windows with vinyl windows, and add shutters to make windows look larger. Pressure wash the front steps and replace railing to match new portico. Paint all brick to compliment the new siding. The former sunroom could stay a room, so that it counts as square footage of the home. More windows to make it a sunny relaxing room. Here's a similar house transformation.

Luis, when I planted it I did not check because I had no info except the name. I had a visitor yesterday who has the same plant - in partial shade - and she said that hers does not have nearly the same amount of color. Both of our plants came from the same nursery her mom's. Remember, the sun in the PNW is much less intense - due to our being so far north. And a scorching day in Shoreline, WA is around 90 - 94 degrees and we will only have one or two hot days and it will be followed by 70 - 80 degrees for at least 5 days or more! Our zone is 8a, but the climate is Marine.