Duck - The Mallard is a Cordial Neighbor

Duck

It's an iconic image, a glossy-green-headed drake flying above the lake on a summer morning, then skimming across the surface for a splash landing. Next, the quintessential duck call that is the mallard's quack. I snapped this picture of a glistening duck at Evergreen Lake.

The mallard duck is a very common bird around here. The female is a mottled, drab-brown that camouflages the duck while nesting. The most conspicuous feature is the iridescent, blue-violet stripes of color that can be seen on her wing. It's fun to watch them employ two completely different but equally humorous feeding strategies.

Head dipping is when they become completely upended with only their rump sticking out of the water. They don't dive but rather spend their time dabbling for food. If that isn't working, they take full of advantage of their neighborly relationship with humans. They waddle out of the water and cordially ask for food.

Comments

  1. judi April 4, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    Beautiful photo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 4, 2013 at 9:04 PM

      Thanks,

      I liked the colors and patterns on this friendly, little duck against a blue background.

      Delete
  2. UnknownApril 4, 2013 at 5:15 PM

    Hi!
    I'm stopping in for the A-Z Challenge! What beautiful photos you have here! The colors in nature astound me. Even in the deserts of Southern California the landscape is awash in color... if you just look for it. Happy A-Zing!
    Alicia from newhousegirl.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 4, 2013 at 9:02 PM

      Thanks Alicia,

      It's just a plain mallard but the colors of the water contrasted against the oranges of the duck made this photo turn out pretty good, I thought. I also enjoyed the personality of this friendly little bird.

      Delete
  3. Dustin MillerApril 4, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    Nice Photo. I like the background.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 4, 2013 at 8:56 PM

      Thanks Earl,

      Yeah, I like how the blue background complements the orange-colored duck.

      Delete
  4. ErmieApril 4, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    What a cute looking duck! Your photographs are awesome. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:11 AM

      Thanks, most of my photographs are intended as reference for future drawings.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousApril 4, 2013 at 9:51 PM

    That is a great duck! Very photogenic. And funny... (rump in the air... or asking humans for food).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:12 AM

      Thanks, they are very funny little creatures with lots of personality.

      Delete
  6. Bhavya NApril 5, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    Beautiful picture.. I love how the different colours are capture in the photograph.
    Keep blogging.
    Bhavya from the AtoZ Challenge blogging at Just Another Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:12 AM

      Thanks, this is one of my favorites because of the bright colors.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousApril 5, 2013 at 3:20 AM

    What a stunning picture!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownApril 5, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    I was out of commission on D day and missed my favorite! Duck! WHat a beautiful shot. I still have to check out your entire site but am interested in seeing some of your art work as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:14 AM

      Thanks, I have some drawings in the archives. Drawing definitely comes more naturally than blogging.

      Delete
  9. UnknownApril 5, 2013 at 8:43 PM

    That one looks like he's asking for food now. I love ducks. We have quite a few wild ducks who visit us here (in Australia), and two pet ducks as well.

    Rinelle Grey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerApril 11, 2013 at 9:14 AM

      Yeah, she was waddling out of the water to ask for food.

      Delete

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