That’s not real ……………

Try to explain what a Mandarin duck looks like to someone without showing them a picture, I don’t think you could do it.

Look at me pose ……..

It was early one morning I was just leaving home, locked up and turned around to see a male and female Mallard ducks, so opened my bird feeder storage and started to throw duck food in the canal for them, then OMG ……..

Mr & Mrs Mandarin

Male and female Mandarin ducks at my boat, what a real treat, now the male is fabulous but the female is very very pretty too.

Subtle but very pretty……

I have to rush back indoors to get my camera, the sun was just peaking over the trees and then that perfect moment for a photographer when Sun hits subject and lights them up, it doesn’t happen often.

The light……..

This species have been around in the UK since before the 1745 (before my time before you start), however most apparently depended from escaped or released birds, originally from Asia they are said to be doing better here than in Japan.

Amazing from every angle ……

They normally nest in holes in trees, so I’m hoping they have found somewhere close to nest, how amazing would it be to have baby Mandarin’s around !