I think the small ornamental ones that stay purple and have the thin leaves are all from Japan. But this maple is quite large and has green leaves during summer, so it could be one of the indigenous species (there are quite a few different types), but I didn't look for a sign that identifies it.
They call autumn leaves here danpung and this tree is quite popular here in autumn because of the bright red colour. It's a running joke among ex-pats here how some Korean people like to boast the fact that they have 4 seasons as if it is some national achievement or unique.
Oddly, the home depot website doesn't work outside of Canada, nothing my VPN can't handle though. I wish I had a shop like that. It makes things cheap, but it destroys inefficient small businesses.
The ducks are a great metaphor. I didn't see any try to fly, but for ducks, it's a lot of effort and they have no reason to bother.