I love these ducks! When I first saw one years ago in central London I couldn’t believe it was real! They look like they are carved from wood.
I haven’t seen one for ages, but was out taking photos yesterday of the goslings by Walton Bridge & saw this single mandarin duck so I grabbed the chance to take a few photos of him.
He was spending a lot of time preening himself, probably showing off in front of his lady friend
This is my weekly ‘pet’ for Michelle’s pet challenge 🙂
Day One 
Wow. Is that thing beautiful! It looks like it belongs on the head of a Chinese dragon.
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Doesn’t it!!
It’s been years since I’ve seen one here. I think you posted a photo of one several moons back on your blog, or maybe that was a Californian one.. They are also stunning 🙂
His poor girlfriend looks a bit plain in comparison, but up close she us really elegant too, just not multicoloured!!
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I’ve never seen such a thing. I’m assuming the male is the colorful one.
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Yes, I am sure he is! I remember when I first saw one I couldn’t believe my eyes :-).
I’m sure these ducks are not native to the UK, we don’t have such naturally colourful birds, but I have seen them before
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I love Mandarins, they really are gorgeous. Thanks for the lovely entry Barbara.
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:-). I seem to be the only person entering photos of animals I find around me rather than pure pets… Is this ok?
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Yes, that is more than ok. The challenge is meant for all animals and pets. 🙂
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Thank you :-). I had read it like that, but was beginning to wonder as mist of the other entries are of pets!
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🙂
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Gorgeous. The best we have on offer are Mallards.
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According to Wikipedia there are about 7000 of them in the UK having escaped from collections and set up feral populations. Apparently there are also some in Dublin, though no mention of Belfast 😦
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They are beautiful!
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I love them! It would be so great if they had babies near here 🙂
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Stunning! The ducks and the pictures =) . I like seeing your pictures of non-pets every week. It reminds me that there are so many new animal friends out there to see!
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Thank you 🙂
Wilson would like to be in all the pictures, but there are so many wonderful animals in my local neighbourhood (not including kangaroos!) it’s great to be able to share photos of some of them
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wow that’s pert wunderful clear crisp an kleen pphotos also 🙂 very kewl 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
[image: Day One]
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