Mandarin Duck

[Mike Quigley]

This beauty was in a pond near Orland Park, Illinois the first week in January 2019
D-850, Nikon 500mm PF, @f5.6, 500mm, iso 110 1/500th

[John Mack]

Very beautiful looking duck. Wish it's head was more turned toward you.

[Mike Poole]

My favourite duck - I have a local bunch of residents that I can never just walk past. You've got a lot of good detail i the whites, its a really easy bird to blow the details out. I think the image wold have been a lot stronger if you'd been able to get lower down somewhere, I know they can be quite skittish, but it does make for a much nicer shot if you can wait it out

Mike

[William Dickson]

Yes, a better POV would be better..I have photographed these beautiful ducks on several occasions and agree with Mike, it is well worth waiting to get 'the shot'....Some nice details here, I wished the HA was better, and maybe some CW rotation.

Will

[Arthur Morris]

Please note that this species does not occur regularly in the lower 48 -- all are captives or escapes that may have bred. The colors and SH are great but the head turned away is an image wrecker for me. The raised feather tracts are stunning and the EXP is perfect.

with love, arite

[Arthur Morris]

My favourite duck - I have a local bunch of residents that I can never just walk past. You've got a lot of good detail i the whites, its a really easy bird to blow the details out. I think the image wold have been a lot stronger if you'd been able to get lower down somewhere, I know they can be quite skittish, but it does make for a much nicer shot if you can wait it out

Mike

Mikey -- does this species occur naturally on your side of the pond?

with love, artie

[Mike Poole]

Mikey -- does this species occur naturally on your side of the pond?

with love, artieHi Artie,

They were introduced from China sometime mid 20th century, and are now becoming more widespread.

Last estimate I saw was about 7000 individuals in the country but that was about 5 years ago and if my local population is anything to go by then there could well be a fair sized increase on that now.

Mike

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