Feathered Friends and Furry Faces: Finding Joy in an Urban Oasis - Feb 2, 2025

After a full morning of snowy bird photography, I headed back into the city to visit some of my favorite urban wildlife: ducks, peacocks, and squirrels. With high-quality bird seed and nuts in hand, and my trusted 600mm lens slung over my shoulder, I made my way to Beacon Hill Park. This vibrant urban sanctuary, nestled in the heart of the city, never ceases to amaze me. The fact that we have such an accessible and thriving natural space filled with wildlife is a gift I never take for granted.

Song Sparrow enjoying the foliage that is blooming this winter

I had no expectations for the visit. The rain-snow mix continued to fall in intervals, and I simply wanted to spend time with the animals, ensuring they got a small protein boost to help them stay warm through the winter. Do they need me to do that? Not at all. They are perfectly capable of foraging on their own. But for me, it’s about more than just feeding them. It’s about sharing a moment with them, listening to their sounds, observing their daily routines, and immersing myself in their world. And, of course, they often grant me the honor of photographing them—a small transaction where I consider the food my payment for the beauty they offer me.

As I wandered down a forested path, I was almost immediately surrounded by squirrels. Their keen curiosity had them peeking at me from the trees, as if asking whether I had brought their payment. I laughed—how did they always seem to know? My aunt, who was accompanying me, offered them some nuts, and just like that, familiar faces began to appear.

First, there was Soot, a dark chocolate-brown squirrel. She perched herself on a tree trunk, waiting ever so patiently, her tiny pink tongue sticking out in what seemed like playful defiance. Her deep brown fur made her stand out among the typical grey squirrels, a result of melanism—a genetic variation that causes an excess of dark pigmentation. Unlike the pure black melanistic squirrels, Soot’s coat had a rich, velvety chocolate hue, likely caused by incomplete melanism. This rare coloring may offer advantages, such as better camouflage against tree bark and enhanced heat absorption in colder months. Watching her confidently hold her ground, it almost felt like she knew she was special—and she fully embraced it.

She perched herself on a tree trunk, waiting ever so patiently, her tiny pink tongue sticking out in what seemed like playful defiance.

Then came Smokie, a warm, dusky brown squirrel with a distinctive white patch in her tail. Her fur had a slightly softer, more muted tone than Soot’s deep chocolate hue, giving her a unique, smoky appearance that perfectly suited her name. She cautiously approached my aunt, grabbed a nut, and scurried off to enjoy it while perched on the side of a tree. Her delicate eating mannerisms were absolutely endearing.

Blondie was next. Her fur had a soft, sandy-gold hue, a beautiful blend of light brown and cream that shimmered subtly in the winter light. Unlike the richer tones of Soot and Smokie, her coloration was delicate and warm, reminiscent of autumn leaves. She was shy, keeping her distance and only daring to retrieve a nut once my aunt placed it on the ground and stepped away. We respected her choice and watched from afar.

And then there was Goldie, whose coat carried a deeper, richer golden hue compared to Blondie, making her stand out in a different way. She was both curious and cautious. She put on quite the show, climbing a tree and hanging upside down by her back feet, as if auditioning for the circus. I couldn’t help but laugh, admiring her acrobatics.

Of course, I made sure to leave her nuts at a respectful distance as a reward for her performance.

While squirrels will gladly take peanuts out of the shell, they seem to enjoy the process of opening a shell themselves, making in-shell peanuts a more appreciated treat.

As we were busy with the squirrels, a group of peacocks and peahens strolled into the scene, drawn by the commotion. They, too, received their share of the feast. Watching them strut around so confidently, their iridescent feathers shimmering even in the gray winter light, was mesmerizing.

As we were busy with the squirrels, a group of peacocks and peahens strolled into the scene, drawn by the commotion. They, too, received their share of the feast. Watching them strut around so confidently, their iridescent feathers shimmering even in the gray winter light, was mesmerizing. For a few moments, I simply stood still and absorbed the scene before me.

Did you know? When an adult male peacock raises his feathers, he’s not just showing off his beauty—he’s also using sound! The shimmering train isn’t just for looks; as he vibrates his feathers, they create a barely audible rustling sound that can attract peahens. This display, combined with his iridescent colors and confident posture, signals strength and good genes to potential mates.

Peter Peacock, the young male, stood proudly beside his father, his much shorter tail feathers a sign of his youth. Male peafowl take between three to five years to grow their full, dazzling train, with each passing year adding more length and vibrancy. Though his feathers were not yet as grand, Peter’s stance showed he was already learning the art of display, watching and mimicking the experienced male’s every move.

Peggy Peacock, the young peahen, lifted her feathers slightly—a behavior often seen in young females as they mimic adult males, express curiosity, or assert their place within the group. Whether she was learning from her father’s grand display or simply enjoying the moment, her raised feathers added to the beauty of the scene.

Nearby, another peacock, distinct with black feathers on his shoulders, perched on the fence, lost in his own world as he meticulously preened himself, reveling in his own beauty. This rare coloration could be due to a unique genetic variation, a mix of peafowl subspecies, or an increase in melanin that deepened his hues. Whatever the reason, his darkened feathers only added to his mystique, making his preening ritual all the more captivating.

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." – Rachel Carson

Peacock feathers are a masterpiece of nature, displaying an array of iridescent blues, greens, and golds with intricate eye-like patterns. These shimmering colors aren’t from pigments but from microscopic structures that reflect and scatter light, creating an almost magical glow. As I stood there, completely in awe, I realized it didn’t take much to experience this wonder—just a simple walk to a local park, stopping, observing, and truly appreciating the small details. The beauty was always there, waiting to be noticed.

For a few moments, I simply stood still and absorbed the scene before me. These wild creatures, so full of life, were unknowingly providing my aunt and me with immeasurable joy and healing. Just being in their presence, observing their behaviors, and feeling their quiet acceptance of our presence was a deeply grounding experience.

This was one of those moments that etched itself into my soul forever—a reminder of why I do what I do, why I return to nature time and time again. Once the squirrels and peacocks had their fill, it was time to move on. The ducks were waiting. Stay tuned for the ducks story coming tomorrow.