These beautiful mallard ducks were not amused by my decision to pull over and take a photo on the way back to town from Oak Harbor. The mallard is the most common duck in North America. It is easy to tell males from females as most male mallards have grayish or brownish feathers, a green head, and a purple breast. The female is brown and white and is smaller than the male. The mallard duck nests under boulders, in tree holes, in the crotch of trees, or in open areas. They eat various seeds and will also eat mollusks, insects, small fish, tadpoles, freshwater snails, fish eggs, and frogs. They usually feed at the surface of the water and are known as “dabbling ducks.” They don’t dive all the way under the water, but just tip their heads under to feed. Stop by Heart Lake. It is a peaceful place to be on a fine spring day…