'Duck Man' saves the day! Banker catches ducklings plunging from first-storey ledge to concrete pavement below
The spectacle of a banker scurrying across a pavement, catching ducklings as they plunge off a ledge has resulted in him earning the nickname 'Duck Man'.
Joel Armstrong arrived at Sterling Savings at 5.45am and took his position to help the brood of 12 ducklings who were getting ready to make their first trip to the water.
The kind-hearted loan officer had been keeping an eye on the mother duck's nest from his office on the second floor and realised the little family would need help once the eggs hatched.
Assume the position: Joel Armstrong prepares himself for the first duckling to drop
Leap of faith: The ducklings line up in single file ahead of their journey to earth
Birds eye view: The ducklings prepare for flight
On Friday morning, the ducklings plopped off the ledge one by one into the hands of Mr Armstrong, as their watchful mother looked on, quacking encouragingly.
It is the second time a brood of ducklings has been born on the ledge - and Mr Armstrong, who played baseball in college, was on hand to help them on their way then.
Despite his expert catching, Mr Armstrong missed one of the ducklings last year, and was determined not to repeat his mistake again.
'He's great, a good catcher,' said one bystander.
'I think Joel's legacy is playing out right here, the Duck Man,' said another.
Crowds cheered as Mr Armstrong caught eight of the brood of 12, and when the four remaining babies got cold feet, Duck Man gallantly climbed up to the ledge and carried them down himself.
Bombs away: The first of the brood leaps into Duckman's hands
Phew: Banker Joel Armstrong breathes a sigh of relief after helping all the ducklings safely down from the ledge
His next challenge was to usher the family through the streets of Spokane, Washington, and get them to a canal.
The selfless Duck Man was rewarded with a kiss from his girlfriend after the last duckling dropped safely into the water, following a brisk waddle through town from the bank.
He said: 'Oh, we did it! Man that was an ordeal, I can't believe we did it. Wow, we did it!'
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