Saturday, June 27, 2015

Pretty Duck

Every spring, we always get a few ducks visiting our backyard koi pond.  Usually just common mallards, the ducky couples are fun to watch.  My hubby always puts out cracked corn for our guests, and some of the ducks get so tame that they march up to our back door quacking if the bowl is empty.




But one early May evening, my hubby came rushing into the house telling me to grab my camera.  A brightly colored Mandarin Duck had landed in our backyard.  We'd never had a duck like this visit - ever!

So of course I charged out to the backyard and snuck up the pretty duck.  But it was so focused on helping himself to our corn bowl, he didn't mind the crazy camera lady following him around. 




I took dozens of shots, but these two turned out to be my favorite.  I'm posting them here for you to enjoy too.

Have a great weekend!


Sharing with:  Saturday's Critters and Our World Tuesday.
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41 comments:

  1. BarbJune 27, 2015 at 6:09 PM

    What a beauty. I can imagine your excitement at seeing him in your own backyard!

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  2. LindaJune 27, 2015 at 8:00 PM

    Linda, gorgeous captures of the Mandarin duck!

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  3. Grandmabeckyl.blogspotJune 27, 2015 at 8:15 PM

    how nice of him to visit your back yard. Some other ducks have been talking about your corn! Obviously a good spot to get food now! Thanks for sharing your photos. Hope you are enjoying your weekend as well!

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  4. Kim@Snug HarborJune 27, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    That is one gorgeous duck. Never saw one like that before.

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  5. ADRIANJune 27, 2015 at 10:49 PM

    These are stunning images of a very beautiful duck. Mallard are great and would be appreciated more were they not so common.

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  6. Laura~Pretty PixJune 27, 2015 at 11:37 PM

    What a gorgeous duck. We've had the usual duck visitors, but none so beautiful as this one.
    I'd say that you
    were the lucky duck!

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  7. Margaret Birding For PleasureJune 27, 2015 at 11:45 PM

    I think this must be the most beautiful duck in the world and you were so fortunate that he visited your garden. Have a good week ahead.

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  8. sweetbriardreamsJune 28, 2015 at 3:00 AM

    Such beautiful plumage. What a great addition to your garden during these months. Have a wonderful week xx

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  9. eileeninmdJune 28, 2015 at 3:40 AM

    Wow Linda, it is a beautiful duck. Lovely shots of the Mandarin Duck. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy day!

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  10. UppalJune 28, 2015 at 4:32 AM

    OMG such a fabulous creature! Look, how nature has mixed and matched the colors.

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  11. JeanneJune 28, 2015 at 5:02 AM

    WOW! This is an amazing looking bird and your shots are so perfect. Great clarity. So exciting that this bird was up for a photo shoot!

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  12. Metamorphosis LisaJune 28, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    What a neat looking duck...it's like a fancy version of a wood duck!

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  13. Minoru SaitoJune 28, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    Hi! The duck photos are very beautiful. It looks like a miracle visiting duck in your backyard. I think koi or carp is very cool fish too. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. EG CameraGirlJune 28, 2015 at 7:03 AM

    Such a handsome visitor!

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  15. AlJune 28, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    What an awesome duck - you caught some great shots of it.

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  16. DJanJune 28, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    Wow! I can see why you'd get excited about a visitor like that one! :-)

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  17. Fun60June 28, 2015 at 8:15 AM

    I couldn't stop laughing at the thought of ducks waddling up to your door to complain about the empty bowl! The Mandarin obviously only read the good comments on trip advisor.

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  18. Magia da InêsJune 28, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    ✿ﾟ｡ه
    Belíssimo!!!
    Que plumagem impressionante!

    Ótimo domingo! Boa semana!
    Beijinhos.
    ❤❤ه° ·.

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  19. StephanieJune 28, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    How cool is that, to have one in your yard. These ducks have gorgeous colors. You captured them beautifully!

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  20. KerryJune 28, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    Oh wow! You got some great shots of this beautiful guy, and you didn't even have to leave your yard. Jealous. I think I need a koi pond.

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  21. HelenJune 28, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    So glad your husband spotted him. Beautiful.

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  22. blueskyscotlandJune 28, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    Beautiful looking duck. We get small groups of them in the UK sometimes but I've never seen one this close. Great photos.

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  23. Far Side of FiftyJune 28, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    He is a beauty! :)

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  24. Plowing Through Life (Martha)June 28, 2015 at 6:15 PM

    Very beautiful shots! These animals are like works of art with their gorgeous colours.

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  25. RobertNJune 28, 2015 at 9:30 PM

    Wonderful capture!:)

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  26. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©June 29, 2015 at 1:20 AM

    Sp pretty!!
    ~

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  27. TomJune 29, 2015 at 3:44 AM

    Beautiful, I'd say. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  28. UnknownJune 29, 2015 at 5:02 AM

    Great shots of this handsome duck!

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  29. JohnJune 29, 2015 at 5:27 AM

    Very nice shots

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  30. betty-NZJune 29, 2015 at 3:30 PM

    What a beauty! We had a pond and I fed the ducks. They would eventually peck on the door for food. It was fun to see the many, many babies that came through.

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  31. carol l mckennaJune 29, 2015 at 3:48 PM

    Beautiful Mandarin Duck and great shots!

    Happy week to you ~ Happy 4th of July in the USA
    artmusedog and carol

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  32. ValerieJune 29, 2015 at 5:20 PM

    Stunning images Linda - thank you for sharing this beautiful bird.

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  33. aimeeJune 29, 2015 at 8:13 PM

    Truly amazing--love these!
    Blessings, Aimee

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  34. s.cJune 30, 2015 at 2:00 AM

    Nice companion for your koi's coming from the same region. Great bird shots.

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  35. Adam JonesJune 30, 2015 at 2:06 AM

    They are lovely looking ducks aren't they? So colourful.

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  36. IdaJune 30, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    I've never seen this type of a duck in the wild. We have one in our local park aviary though and they are beautiful. How neat that this one flew into your yard.

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  37. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiJune 30, 2015 at 3:47 PM

    What a beautiful and unusual duck to see in your own backyard! I'm glad he cooperated with having his photos taken!

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  38. cedarmerefarmJuly 1, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    WOW!!! That's a very handsome duck. I hope he comes back and have a family in your yard next spring.

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  39. Spare Parts and PicsJuly 1, 2015 at 3:52 PM

    He's stunning! Almost doesn't look real. Great photos.

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  40. What Karen SeesJuly 2, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    Your images of this beautiful duck are wonderful. Nice that he was so cooperative for you.

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  41. Su-sieee! MacJuly 3, 2015 at 4:22 PM

    Thanks! These are brilliant photos of the handsome guy. Good for you and the Hubby for leaving out food for the ducks.
    Take 25 to Hollister

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