Thank you Amelia. I realise that these very common ducks can be seen almost anywhere in the world, but until I looked more closely [male mallards next] I’d never noticed, for example, how they fan their tails as (1) an anchor and (b) a rudder. Since I started all this bird stuff, I’ve even found some beauty in sparrows! RH
Quote “even”! – sparrows are one of my favourite birds! I like them because they are cheeky. The sparrows in St James’ Park in London used to share your table and sandwiches with you.
We have none in London (my theory is light pollution); but in Dorset we are lucky – we have a perpetual colony under the eaves, and they nest individually in holes in the stonework passim. We don’t make them sandwiches, though.
Mallards by Carl Friedrich Deiker (1875) [Wiki]
ROLLING HARBOUR GALLERY 
Ducks are so appealing and this one is especially cute. Your photographs of the water and feathers are great.
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Thank you Amelia. I realise that these very common ducks can be seen almost anywhere in the world, but until I looked more closely [male mallards next] I’d never noticed, for example, how they fan their tails as (1) an anchor and (b) a rudder. Since I started all this bird stuff, I’ve even found some beauty in sparrows! RH
LikeLike
Quote “even”! – sparrows are one of my favourite birds! I like them because they are cheeky. The sparrows in St James’ Park in London used to share your table and sandwiches with you.
LikeLike
We have none in London (my theory is light pollution); but in Dorset we are lucky – we have a perpetual colony under the eaves, and they nest individually in holes in the stonework passim. We don’t make them sandwiches, though.
LikeLike