Dabbling Ducks on the Water's Edge Mystery Cache

Please bring your own pen or pencil, as the container is too small to hold same.

The GeoCache is not located at the virtual coordinates provided, please solve the following to obtain the physical coordinates.  ;-)

A Naturalist’s Journey: Dabbling Ducks on the Water's Edge

As the morning mist lingers over the quiet pond, the first rays of sunlight pierce through the trees, casting a golden glow on the still water below. It's early autumn in the heart of the prairie, and I’ve come to observe one of the most delightful groups of birds that frequent this region: the dabbling ducks. These ducks, with their buoyant, carefree manner, have captivated me for years, and today, as I sit along the water's edge, I am eager to witness their elegant dance.

The pond is already alive with activity. A soft quack echoes across the water, and I spot the first familiar silhouette—a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). The male, or drake, is unmistakable. His bright green head gleams like polished emerald, the sunlight reflecting off the smooth, iridescent feathers. The crisp white band around his neck stands out in stark contrast to his brown chest, and his blue wing patches flicker as he adjusts his posture. His wide, olive-yellow bill glows in the morning light. As he tilts his head to take a dabbling dive, I notice the blunt tail riding high out of the water—one of the signature characteristics of dabbling ducks.

Nearby, a female Mallard, or hen, swims with a more subdued presence. Her feathers are mottled brown, providing her with camouflage against the reeds and grasses. Despite her muted tones, she is no less graceful. Her orange and black bill and orange feet set her apart from the drake, but she remains in the background, content to paddle alongside her mate. The Mallard’s adaptability to both urban and rural landscapes has made it one of the most recognizable species of duck, and today, they are living up to their reputation as the iconic dabbling duck.

The pond's surface ripples as another set of wings flaps overhead. A Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) has arrived, and I can’t help but admire its beauty. The drake stands out even from afar. Its crested head is an elegant shade of green, and the chestnut-colored breast glows with intensity in the sunlight. His intricate plumage is like a work of art, each feather appearing carefully painted by nature itself. The female, in contrast, has a softer, warmer brown plumage with a subtle grayish crest on her head. Her white teardrop markings around the eye and on the dark blue speculum of her wings add a touch of elegance, though she is less flamboyant than her mate. Wood Ducks are fascinating to watch, often perching on branches above the water, adding a unique dimension to their behavior that sets them apart from many other dabbling ducks.

As I sit quietly, the steady paddling of yet another pair of ducks catches my eye. This time, it’s a couple of Gadwalls (Mareca strepera). Though their coloration is more subdued compared to the Mallards and Wood Ducks, the drake still holds my attention with his intricate patterns of gray, brown, and black. The white belly and black rump provide a sharp contrast to the rest of his body, creating an understated yet striking presence on the water. The hen, with her more subtle coloring, is harder to spot in the reeds, but her thinner, darker bill helps identify her when I take a closer look. The Gadwall is often overlooked for its lack of vibrant hues, but in its subtlety, it speaks to the quiet beauty of the prairie.

A quick whistle interrupts my quiet observation, and my gaze shifts to a Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) gliding effortlessly across the water. The drake, with his slim profile, long, narrow neck, and distinctive “pin” tail, is a sight to behold. His chocolate-brown head contrasts beautifully with the white fore-neck, and the blue-grey bill with the black stripe adds another layer of elegance to his appearance. As he stretches his neck toward the water's surface to feed, his long tail feathers provide a striking silhouette against the clear blue sky. The hen, with her more muted brown feathers, remains more reserved, blending into the landscape as she paddles quietly nearby.

The smallest of the dabbling ducks, the Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis), catches my eye next. This little duck is a true gem of the prairie, its dark cinnamon head gleaming with a green crescent that shines in the morning sun. The green speculum on its wings adds an iridescent pop of color when it takes flight. The female, more brown and subdued, blends into the background, her plumage resembling that of a female Mallard but marked by a subtle yellowish streak along her tail. The Green-winged Teal’s small size and distinctive markings make it a joy to observe, and its quiet nature adds a peaceful stillness to the pond’s chorus.

As the sun climbs higher, the day grows warmer, and I watch these dabbling ducks interact with the water in their own unique ways. Some dive beneath the surface, while others dip their bills into the water's surface, filtering for food. Their movements are fluid, graceful, and mesmerizing, a reminder of the delicate balance these birds maintain in the ecosystems they inhabit.

My journey today has been one of discovery, not just of these fascinating birds, but of the intricate tapestry of life that surrounds them. The Mallard, the Wood Duck, the Gadwall, the Northern Pintail, and the Green-winged Teal all offer their own stories, each woven into the fabric of this pond. As I watch them interact, I am reminded of the natural harmony that exists in the world when we step back and let nature be.
The dabbling ducks have, in their own quiet, gentle way, reminded me of the value of observing and appreciating the small moments in life—the subtle beauty of a feather, the ripple of water, the chorus of quacks, and the stillness of a sunlit pond. It is these moments that make up the story of the natural world, and today, I am grateful to be a part of it.

A Naturalist’s Journey: Dabbling Ducks on the Water's Edge (on the overmorrow)

As the morning mist lifts and the sunlight warms the pond, I find myself enthralled by the rich variety of dabbling ducks that now populate the water. The air is filled with the subtle sounds of quacking and the occasional splash as these fascinating creatures dive, paddle, and display their unique behaviors. Every so often, I catch sight of a new species, each contributing to the vibrancy of this tranquil scene. Today, I am particularly drawn to a new set of characters—the Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors).

The drake stands out immediately with his slaty-blue head, the white crescent that arcs neatly behind his bill, and the distinct patch of white on his flank that contrasts against his black tail. His body is a light brown, subtly patterned with dark speckles on his chest. In flight, his wings are striking—a bold powder-blue patch on his upperwing coverts gleams in the morning light, an unmistakable feature that makes this species easy to identify. Watching him glide gracefully across the pond, I am struck by the beauty and elegance of these small, yet distinctive ducks.

The hen, on the other hand, is less conspicuous with her cold, patterned brown feathers, similar to many other female dabbling ducks. Yet, upon closer inspection, she reveals the same blue wing patch as her mate, and the pale streaks along her wings and tail are subtle hints at her once-vibrant beauty in the breeding season. Whether in flight or paddling, the Blue-winged Teal brings a quiet elegance to the water.

Nearby, a pair of American Wigeons (Mareca americana) have caught my eye. The drake, with his striking green eye patch and white crown, stands out dramatically against the backdrop of the pond. His pink chest and sides are a warm contrast to the pale cinnamon body, and when he flaps his wings in flight, a bold white wing patch emerges. The female is more muted, her gray-brown head contrasting with the soft pinkish body. The American Wigeon is a duck of subtle grace, easily overlooked by casual observers, yet remarkable when you take the time to study it closely.
It’s not long before a Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) arrives on the scene, and I am captivated by this unique species. Its shovel-shaped bill is immediately noticeable, an unmistakable feature that sets it apart from all other dabbling ducks. The male, with his iridescent green head and white breast, exudes an air of distinction. His rust-colored sides are a warm contrast to the cold, clear sky, and the pale blue forewing feathers are easily seen when he stretches his wings in flight. The female, more drab and mottled brown, is less striking, but the long, broad bill immediately gives her away as a shoveler. Her grayish forewing is a subtle feature that differentiates her from many other dabbling ducks.

The Northern Shoveler’s unique feeding habits fascinate me. With its comblike projections along its bill, it’s designed for filtering tiny crustaceans and seeds from the water—an impressive feat of evolutionary engineering. I watch as it dips its head below the surface, using its broad bill to sift through the water, its body positioned high above the waterline, a typical trait of dabbling ducks.

As I sit in quiet observation, taking in the rhythms of the pond, I’m reminded of the distinct differences between dabbling ducks and their diving cousins. Dabblers like the Mallards, Blue-winged Teals, and Northern Shovelers are high-floating and swift fliers, their broad, flat bills suited to feeding on the surface. I notice how they dip their heads beneath the water, skimming the surface for small invertebrates and aquatic plants. Their tails, often held high, provide a telltale sign of their dabbling nature—constantly above the water’s surface, yet fully immersed in the life below.
In contrast, I catch a glimpse of diver ducks in the distance. With their streamlined bodies, shorter wings, and larger, stronger legs, they sit much lower in the water. These ducks are designed for a different way of life, with webbed feet that act as powerful paddles under the water, propelling them swiftly to chase fish and large crustaceans. Their bodies are built for underwater propulsion, and the way they move is distinctly different from the dabbling ducks around me.

As the day continues and the pond fills with the calls and splashes of these remarkable birds, I’m reminded of the beauty in diversity. The Blue-winged Teal, with its delicate blue-winged beauty, the American Wigeon, with its striking head markings, and the Northern Shoveler, with its unique bill, all contribute to the richness of this prairie ecosystem. Each species brings its own rhythm, its own grace, and its own story to this serene landscape.

For now, I sit back, observing with awe as the dabbling ducks glide and dive, paddle and preen. In the stillness of the pond, there is a sense of peace, a quiet understanding of the delicate balance between bird and water, nature and observer. This moment, as brief as it is, connects me to the land, the water, and the creatures that call this place home. It is a moment of harmony, a reminder that in the natural world, every creature—no matter how big or small—has a part to play. And as I sit here, I feel truly privileged to witness it.

Now that you have gone on the duck Naturalist Journey Welcome to the Duck Identification Puzzle!

In this challenge, you’ll need to name the ducks matching the letters provided. Follow these steps to uncover the final coordinates:

1. Examine the images.
   Take a close look at the ducks in the attached images. Each letter represents a different species.

2. Identify each duck
   Using your knowledge or the provided clues in the story, name each duck in the image(s) corresponding to the letters ( each species shows a male and female as a couple or individually in a set of two photos ).

3. Obtain the corresponding numeric value.
   Once you've named the ducks, find the numeric value associated with each species.

4. Perform the math.
   Using the numeric values from each duck, follow the math instructions provided. You’ll need to calculate these values in a specific order to unlock the final answer.

5. Find the final coordinates.
   After completing the calculations, you’ll arrive at the final set of coordinates, which will lead you to the hidden geocache!

Now that you have the most excellent answers for which duck represents which numeral, then this little math formula will let you in on the GPS coordinates! 

Your answer should look like: Latitude N52° ##.### Longitude W106° ##.###  Good luck!

N 52° [ G -  (B + B) ] [ A+ E ] . [ C - ( D + B ) ] [ G ] [ F ]

W 106° [ D ] [ H ]  . [ C ] [ H + F] [ B ]

In 2025, geocaching is celebrating 25 glorious years—and to mark this milestone, we’ve embraced Back to Nature theme in the second quarter of the year. Don't forget to check what is coming up in the third quarter!  If you’re participating, don’t forget to share your Back to Nature finds on social media! Tag @geocaching and use #GeoHT25 for a chance to be featured on Instagram.  Optional step (this is not an ALR: "Additional Logging Requirement".)

1. One may partake in this delightful endeavor by concealing a geocache inspired by "back to nature" between the dates of March 26 – June 5, 2025. Upon completing such a noble task, I beseech you to nominate your cache by filling out the designated form.
2. If one should have the good fortune of discovering a "back to nature"-themed geocache between March 26 – June 5, 2025, I encourage you to share your find by nominating the cache with the completion of a simple form.
3. Might I suggest that you partake in the spirit of social sharing by posting your photographs of the geocache upon the popular medium of Instagram? Be sure to tag @geocaching and employ the hashtag #GeoHT25 for a delightful opportunity to have your contribution featured upon Instagram’s Stories.