Whos keeping an eye on me....

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Mandarin

The male Mandarin (Aix galericulata) has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange 'sails' on the back, and pale orange flanks. The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks. They were introduced to the UK from China and have become established following escapes from captivity. Here in the NW of England a few large colonys thrive on inland bodies of water, often in Country Parks.

These images are from my local park - Etherow cp

please click on the images to appreciate the finer detail within the pixels

how many colours.....


just looking magnificant


in soft focus


preening in a tree


going for a stroll


mr & mrs


how cute are they.....


18 comments:

Unknown said...

Stunning post Dave!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

HansHB said...

This is awesome to see!

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

Oh those are absolutely stunning Dave. Amazing.

Carletta said...

Wow Dave!
A wonderful series of shots! The first three in the water are exquisite in color and detail.

Brian King said...

Gorgeous shots, Dave!

mick said...

Amazing color on the male Mandarin. Great photo.

NatureStop said...

Just love the colours!!!You've captured them so beautifully.Thanks for sharing!Have a great day.

Shantana

eileeninmd said...

They are beautiful ducks. The colors are amazing, lovely shots.

siga said...

Totally rainbowed! :)) Such a curious beautyies you found

Mary Howell Cromer said...

these are glorious images. It is nice seeing them in the tree, or over in a cove, rather just out in the middle of the water. you got some marvelous images, thank you for sharing~

Adam Jones said...

Great stuff Dave. Etherow is a great place for these.

Springman said...

Fantastic Dave. Nature does not get anymore outrageous than this!

Arija said...

These ducks I have only seen as trepans and could not believe my eyes. The male certainly is spectacular but the female, in her gentler colouring is beautiful in her own right as well.
Adorable picture from the land of nod . . .

The Coal Miner and Me said...

Dave, what stunning photos! I'm very impressed. The Coal Miner is going to be so jealous! These are some of the nicest bird photos I've seen.

Larry said...

Beautiful shots of these gorgeous ducks Dave! The Mandarin Duck reminds me a lot of their cousin the Wood Duck which also nests in tree cavities but is not quite as ornate as these beauties.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

You have certainly captured the beauty of the Mandarins!

Crafty Green Poet said...

such lovely photos of a magnificent looking duck!

Liz said...

Thes ducks really amaze me. Their colours and markings are gorgeous!!