Ace and I are in Ocean City today (he needed some beach time), but we interrupt our mini-vacation to bring you the following baby duck bulletin, courtesy of the Associated Press, based on reporting by the Reading Eagle:

WEST LAWN, Pa. - Real estate agent Liliana Gomez told sales manager Larry Kitchen about a duck she saw peering down a storm drain on her way to work last week at GMAC Real Estate Premier Network in Wyomissing, and the two drove back to look.

Five baby ducks had fallen into the drain on State Hill Road in Spring Township. The mother paced nervously. Soon medics from the Western Berks Ambulance Association were working to retrieve the ducklings, attracting attention amidst rush-hour traffic.

"All of a sudden, people were stopping and wanting to help," said Gomez, 38. Mike Roth, paramedic and Spring Township deputy fire chief, lifted the grate, climbed 4 feet and began lifting ducks up to two other paramedics. "I handed them up and somebody put them in a box," Roth said.

Reunited in a nearby field, the mother checked the ducklings, and waddled off with them stringing along behind her.

"We all felt good," Kitchen said. "It showed that people have a compassionate side. It was a nice way to start a day."