Saturday, January 4, 2014

Mandarin Duck

 Sleeping Mandarin Duck

On New Years Day, my husband and I were out looking for as many different species of birds we could find to start our 2014 birding list - a game we enjoy playing together - when we happened upon this odd sleeping fellow amongst a group of  Mallards.

Awake!

An escapee, so not counted on our list. But isn't he handsome? He ignored us - not at all interested in a photo op - so we continued on our walk. On our way back, though, several other photographers had discovered him and had walked out onto the ice a little to close for his comfort, so that

"Escaping" via water

he had decided to go for a chilly swim in an opening in the ice.  It just so happened that he swam close to me as I stood on the bridge over the creek.

FYI: In spite of it being a chilly, overcast day, my husband and I found 30 different bird species in the Whitby (on Lake Ontario) area.

I am linking with Saturday Critters HERE.
and
Camera Critters HERE  and
I am linking to I'd Rather B Birdin'  HERE.

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61 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2014 at 5:12 AM

    Beautiful bird, with beautiful colours!

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  2. Carole M.January 4, 2014 at 5:47 AM

    he's SO handsome; they intruige me

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  3. PerthDailyPhotoJanuary 4, 2014 at 5:58 AM

    Goodness EG he is rather splendid.. all that fabulous colour topped off by a bright red beak.. beautifully shown here.

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  4. StuartJanuary 4, 2014 at 6:09 AM

    What a gorgeous bird ! Nice shots.

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  5. RevrunnerJanuary 4, 2014 at 6:11 AM

    Maybe he thought he could pass as a Mallard. :-)

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  6. AndyJanuary 4, 2014 at 6:13 AM

    This guy has such beautiful colours.

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  7. KateJanuary 4, 2014 at 6:55 AM

    Those birds really know how to stay warm; love the way they tuck themselves together.

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  8. Elizabeth EdwardsJanuary 4, 2014 at 6:57 AM

    now that is an amazing bird. all those colors. beautiful! ( :

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  9. aspiritofsimplicityJanuary 4, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    what a beautiful bird!

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  10. Buttons ThoughtsJanuary 4, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    Oh I LOVE LOVE this duck I have never seen one and I appreciate your hunting for those shots to share with me oh I meant everyone:) Hug B

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  11. The CrankyJanuary 4, 2014 at 7:19 AM

    He's beautiful but BRRRRR!

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  12. eileeninmdJanuary 4, 2014 at 7:22 AM

    Sounds like you had a great day looking for and counting the birds. The Mandarin Duck is beautiful, I hope it stays safe. Lovely photos.

    Thanks for sharing your post on Saturday's Critters. Have a happy weekend!

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  13. rainfield61January 4, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    I wonder whether a Mandarin duck speaks Mandarin.

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  14. Gill - That British WomanJanuary 4, 2014 at 7:36 AM

    a very beautiful birdie indeed. Try and stay warm.

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  15. The Furry GnomeJanuary 4, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    What an incredible duck! And amazing pictures!

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  16. JudyJanuary 4, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    He is such a pretty bird!!! And 14 is a lot of species, considering the temperature!!!

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  17. Our photosJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    What a beautiful duck!

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  18. Jenn JilksJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:12 AM

    Startling colours! How beautiful!
    Cheers from Cottage Country Ontario !

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  19. Pamela GordonJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    He certainly is beautiful! Great photos.

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  20. Gail DixonJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    I have always wanted to see one of these. They're even more colorful than the wood duck. Hubby and I went out last week looking for birds and ended up seeing several duck species we hadn't seen before. I wish this had been one of them, but I'm happy with my hooded merganser. :)

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  21. Kerri FarleyJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    LOVE those Colors!

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:24 AM

    Gorgeous shots, CG.
    Their feather colors are so vivid they don't look real.
    Happy weekend :)

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  23. MadSnapperJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:53 AM

    i like that sleeping one best of all. he is a beauty... and brrrr on the tush in the ice...

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  24. LowellJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    What great shots of this gorgeous creature! Photographers walking out on the ice when open water is in sight!

    Photographers are nuts!

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  25. IndraniJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    What a delight!
    Lovely colors on it.

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  26. UnknownJanuary 4, 2014 at 10:00 AM

    What a beautiful bird - and great shots!

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  27. Phil SladeJanuary 4, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    He's a handsome duck, your photos a great way to start 2014. 30 species is a good start too, especially since we have seen some of your arctic weather on our TV screens.

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  28. TexWisGirlJanuary 4, 2014 at 10:14 AM

    really awesome sighting to start out the year!

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  29. John @ Beans and I on the LooseJanuary 4, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    I'd love to see one of them. I'd count it too. It's nice that your husband has an interest in the things that you like to do.

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  30. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    What a gorgeous bird and photos are awesome ~ Happy 2014 ~ carol, xxx

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  31. UnknownJanuary 4, 2014 at 10:52 AM

    What a nice way to start a new year. 30 dif. species is quiet a bit of birds in the area. What a beautiful colors on the Mandarin Duck. Great catch !!!

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  32. KarenJanuary 4, 2014 at 11:09 AM

    A gorgeous duck, beautifully photographed!

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  33. Judith @ Lavender CottageJanuary 4, 2014 at 11:41 AM

    Your chilly walk paid off, and the mandarin duck was a bonus. Beautiful colouring on it!

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  34. Connie SmileyJanuary 4, 2014 at 12:09 PM

    Amazing photos! That handsome duck must have known you didn't want to disturb him.

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  35. BirdmanJanuary 4, 2014 at 1:00 PM

    Don't think I've ever seen one of these. All decked out to go on the town... or pond.

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  36. maryaustriaJanuary 4, 2014 at 1:11 PM

    Amazing shots! I love the colors of this duck! So beautiful!

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  37. Billy Blue EyesJanuary 4, 2014 at 1:24 PM

    Very nice photos well captured

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  38. Margaret Birding For PleasureJanuary 4, 2014 at 1:28 PM

    Hi EG What a wonderful find and great shot of him. I featured a duck today that I was excitd about but they were not colourful like yours.

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  39. UnknownJanuary 4, 2014 at 2:10 PM

    He really is handsome!

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  40. RedPatJanuary 4, 2014 at 2:31 PM

    What a handsome bird he is, EG!

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  41. SquirrelQueenJanuary 4, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    Mandarins are my favorite duck, the drake's colors are magnificent. Our local aviary has several mating pairs.

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  42. GigaJanuary 4, 2014 at 2:59 PM

    Jest sliczna. Chyba jej przerwałaś drzemkę. Pozdrawiam.
    It's beautiful. Unless you interrupted her nap :). Yours.

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  43. Judy January 4, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    Oh my look at all the gorgeous color of him in that bottom photo. I've not seen him ever.

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  44. ZosiaJanuary 4, 2014 at 4:57 PM

    Oh, what a beauty! I don't think I've ever seen one like this.

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  45. Linda W.January 4, 2014 at 5:52 PM

    What a beautiful duck - such bright colors. Nice photos.

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  46. Susan DemeterJanuary 4, 2014 at 7:52 PM

    Beautiful! I used to live in Ajax so know the area fairly well :)

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  47. Grandma Barb's This and ThatJanuary 4, 2014 at 8:14 PM

    This guy is really showing off his beautiful colors as he swims in the open water! Great way to start off the New Year.

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  48. JackJanuary 4, 2014 at 8:43 PM

    The colors in the second and third photos are especially vivid.

    OK, I give up. What is an escapee that doesn't count? I even googled it and couldn't find an answer.

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  49. Ruth HiebertJanuary 4, 2014 at 9:03 PM

    What a spectacular looking bird this is!

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  50. Anni January 5, 2014 at 5:03 AM

    Wow!!! That is awesome. Lucky you to have found this on your very first day of birding in the new year!! A memorable find.

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  51. KathyJanuary 5, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    He's certainly a beauty!

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  52. Lisa GordonJanuary 5, 2014 at 3:44 PM

    My goodness, these are gorgeous!

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  53. NatureFootstepJanuary 5, 2014 at 5:33 PM

    such gorgeous images of the duck in the snow. :)

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  54. NonnieJanuary 5, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    what gorgeous plummage! all we see around here are mallards, pretty as they are, they are no competition for the Mandarin.

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  55. SaunJanuary 5, 2014 at 8:51 PM

    OMG stunning!

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  56. RoseJanuary 6, 2014 at 12:17 AM

    Oh, my, he is one handsome fellow!

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  57. Pat TillettJanuary 7, 2014 at 1:48 AM

    A beautiful duck and beautiful photos of him!

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  58. Gemma WisemanJanuary 7, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    Amazing colour contrasts in this feathered character. Love the first photo where the sleeping duck looks like some swirl of carnival colours.

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  59. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2014 at 1:15 PM

    Those colors are just amazing! They almost don't look real.

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  60. William KendallJanuary 9, 2014 at 8:38 PM

    A striking looking bird!

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  61. K V V S MURTHYJanuary 10, 2014 at 6:11 AM

    So cute..!

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