Possibly a hybrid

Going to work this morning was a distinctly odd experience. Due to a large subsidence on the section of Scenic Drive between the top of Woodlands Park Road and Titirangi (at least three times as big as the one I blipped yesterday) that bit of road is closed to traffic while they try to repair, or at least make safe, the damage. Therefore, I had to take a (fortunately short) detour. Thereafter the traffic was quiet and more like the holidays. Must have been a lot working from home.

At the morning handover meeting we discussed our experiences on Friday night/Saturday morning as much as the anticipated work for the day. At the end of the day's planned work, I heeded the call of the Civil Defence chap on the radio this morning. I left early so as to not be on the road if the threatened downpours came earlier than expected.

This meant that I was able to take a walk earlier than usual after work.. The pool that this duck was in is usually a well mown hollow in Council land between the road a private residence and a driveway to a home well back in the bush. 

The grey beak is typical of Parera (the native grey duck), and the facial markings are more definite than is usual for mallards. Such hybrids are common, and have stimulated debate about whether humans should intervene.

As an extra for today, I have posted a photo of a rapidly flowing rivulet, which is only in existence because of the waterlogged hills above the path I was on