Ducking Adventures: The Punk Rockers, Sunbathers, and Sacred Moments of a November Day - Nov 9, 2025

Today felt like a gift — gloriously sunny, warm, and shining with that soft November light that feels completely out of place but wonderfully welcomed. My Aunt and I packed up Finnegan in his little adventure backpack (his new favourite chariot of choice), and with no plans other than joy itself, we headed out to go ducking.

What’s ducking, you ask?

Simply put — it’s the art of spending time with ducks. Of wandering from pond to pond, park to park, just to see who has returned, who’s settling in, and who’s ready to show off for the camera.

And let me tell you… today did not disappoint.

Stop 1 — Mallards, Wood Ducks, and the Sparkle of Small Birds

If today had a theme, it was this: patterns and colors. Everywhere we went, the birds were glowing with personality — some loud and dazzling, others subtle and quietly stunning.

Our first stop was a local golf course park, and right away the fall magic unfolded. The mallards were shining in perfect sunlight, and the wood ducks looked like they’d stepped straight out of a painting.

Among them were Brewer’s Blackbirds shimmering like living gems. The male Brewer’s glowed with purples and teals, their neon-yellow eyes practically beaming.

The females, though more understated, were gorgeous in their soft sandy tans and silvery tones.

And honestly, I have a theory about this.

Female birds always seem to have the quieter patterns — the calmer browns, golds, and soft blends. I don’t think it’s because they’re “plain.” I think it’s because they’re smart. They don’t want to be inundated with attention. Let the boys strut around like feathered disco balls — the ladies know the value of staying subtle and choosing when they want to shine.

What I love is that every bird, bright or muted, has its own kind of beauty once you really stop and look. Today felt like one big reminder of that.

As I watched the wood ducks swimming through the sunlit water, I couldn’t help admiring how wildly different their beauty is. The males look like patchwork masterpieces — bold greens, deep reds, crisp whites, and those intricate lines that make them look hand-painted.

And then there are the females, who are just as stunning in their own way: soft, muted browns and greys covered in delicate patterns, with unexpected pops of color and that subtle purple sheen that catches the light when they turn their heads. It’s like nature put the drama on the males but saved the quiet elegance for the females.

Stop 2 — The Hooded Mergansers, a Running Game, and a Turtle Who Knows What’s Up

Next up was a busy city park. With so many people everywhere, I wasn’t expecting much. But wildlife shows up when they decide, not when we assume, and there they were:

The male and female Hooded Mergansers.

The punk rockers of the duck world, mohawks and all.

Male Hooded Merganser

Female Hooded Merganser

Did You Know?

Hooded Mergansers have the ability to see underwater while diving for food. Their eyes actually adapt to different refractions — like built-in camera lenses.

The autumn colors were reflecting across the water like liquid gold as they swam. I snapped a few shots and then realized these little punks were playing games with me.

They swam one way.

I went the other way to catch them in good light.

They spotted me… and turned right back around.

So there I was, literally jogging around a pond, trying to outsmart two tiny mergansers while the sun glared from the wrong direction.

Honestly, I’m pretty sure they were laughing at me.

And then, in the middle of my merganser madness, I spotted a painted turtle stretched out on a log, sunning himself like he had not a single care in the world. No rush, no chase, no drama — just full, calm bliss.

There was something about watching him that made me pause. A little reminder that we don’t always have to be in motion. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just sit on our metaphorical log and enjoy the sun.

Did You Know?

Painted turtles can slow their heart rate to nearly nothing in winter to survive freezing temperatures. Rest isn’t just restorative — it’s powerful.

Stop 3 — Grebes, a Surf Scoter, and That One Lens You Didn’t Bring

We made one last stop at the estuary, and the crowd there was huge. Yet even with all the noise and movement, nature still quietly revealed itself.

Out on the ocean side were a pair of grebes and a Surf Scoter bobbing on the waves. With only my 400mm lens, I couldn’t get the close-up portraits I love — but just knowing they were there felt like enough.

Sometimes the sighting itself fills you up more than the photo ever could.

Today’s Lesson: Birding Starts at Home

You don’t need to travel far.

You don’t need a mountain summit or a remote wetland.

You just need curiosity — and your local urban wild spaces.

Your neighborhood parks are alive with wildlife. Birds, turtles, small mammals — all going about their lives in the same places where we walk, picnic, and play.

Today reminded me once again that all the magic you seek out there…

is often right here at home.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s blog — I saved the smaller birds who were hanging out with the ducks for their very own feature.