No inspiration for a different photo here - I can’t complain about my physical difficulties -on 365 there are a huge number of friends suffering! Apart from the physical annoyances, I found I had knitted at least 2 inches more than I should have and after pulling it to bits then I couldn’t find the whatchemcallit -long safety pin!
This was an odd duck in the Public Gardens pond - googled and found it to be a ‘feral muscovy” Feral means wild so I’m feral right now! There was another duck with a white breast which I couldn’t identify other than being a ‘mutant male mallard” MMM?
Three good things:
1. Being able to handle things with a deep breath and a smile.
2. Biking with a smile brings more smiles
3. Some lambs gamboling in the field opposite! When I told him, John asked if they were allowed to play blackjack?
Beautiful colours, but they are a bit ugly looking. Mallards are very closely related to domestic ducks, and given the chance will breed freely with them. The results can be quite strange sometimes.
@maggiemae Yes, I think it does. You sometimes see ducks with strange plumages, but they seem to keep the red around the head. I have a shot of one,which was totally white apart from the red head.
I will have to dig it out for you.
@gijsje Thanks Bep - one of my eyes (sounds like Ive got heaps) went haywire with stinging and scratchiness but its better today - thats one good thing!
Lovely duck in my book. Wish I had lambs gambolling at my door. Hope you are feeling a little less feral today with lots of opportunities to spread smiles.
Sounds like it might have been an eye infection which isn't good for a photographer! l love that you used the word gamboling! I don't hear that very often in conversation! John thought he was being funny?!
Oh, yes! your picture! Such an interesting find with some great detail! apparently that eye wasn't too bad for you to get such a great shot!
You must be back from the excitement of the city........this duck looks very settled & content. He doesn't look very feral to me although he is looking out of the corner of his eye at you! Mrs duck will be laying eggs soon I would think! Knitting too long is very annoying!
@happypat I found the type of duck was called a feral muscovy even though they aren't wild, Pat. Yes there will be many near drownings going on in this pond soon!
@grammyn When I was out on my bike with the cold wind blowing on my face, my eye was fine, Katy. Back at home it got decidedly worse! I'll have to stay out in the cold!
Feral or not ( I mean the duck !!) it has beautiful plumage -- a great shot , the vignette has enhanced the glean and shine on the feathers !
Hope your eye is better -- perhaps too much fresh air while out on the bike and busily smiling ! !!!!
The feathers on the top of this duck's back have some delightful color variations. I used to knit a great deal (until photography took over), so I completely understand the pain of unraveling. Thanks for your kind comments on my shot of yesterday. If you have Lightroom, I can try to offer suggestions to get you to that eerie, high-key, glow. :)
@sdutoit Im in one room of the house, think that I really need to look at that on the computer - - go sit down at the computer and just can't remember what I wanted to know. ohuguhh!
i had to laugh at one of the comments about ducks being promiscuous! this is an unusual duck for me. most ducks i see are in chinatown, hanging from the display windows along with octopus and other stuff which you can order along with chow mien. lovely capture!
Well the stunning colors on the feathers of his back make up for the less than attractive red gobbledee-gook on his face. We had to relocate 11 feral cats this winter but I'm sure this duck is hardly as feral as they were! Good shot.
@olivetreeann So do you take part in SPCA activities, Ann. I did for a few years but we found feral cats never cut the mustard to be adopted! "Cut the mustard" is an old saying that I just revived today!
@maggiemae No, not SPCA activities- more like save the birds at my feeder activities. When they started picking off the birds it was time to find them new homes so we got a "friendly cage" and relocated them to places where they would survive but not stalk my birds.
@panthora He was the only duck that looked like this but didn't appear worried! He has a big body and waddled around until he decided that waddling 6 paces was absolutely too much!
Great looking duck. I've never seen one like that before! It makes me think of our male Wood Duck when all the different colors come back. You should post the white breasted duck. Someone might know what it is.
Love your photo. We had a couple of ducks like this at our park. Did not see any this last visit. They are very cool looking. I have taken head shots of one and I was told they are always female by someone on here that has them on her farm in Michigan. I hope you are ok. I missed something. I will not complain too much either. I have a friend who just finished aggressive Chemo and radiation who is resting and barely drinking or eating and another with advanced MS. Sad what people deal with in life. My father in law used to say "We all have our cross to bear". I hope you are doing well. Take care. FAV for this ducky photo.
I will have to dig it out for you.
Oh, yes! your picture! Such an interesting find with some great detail! apparently that eye wasn't too bad for you to get such a great shot!
Hope your eye is better -- perhaps too much fresh air while out on the bike and busily smiling ! !!!!
fav