A few weeks ago we decided to check out the colours by taking a stroll around the Isabella Plantation within Richmond Park. A you can see many of the Azeleas were in full bloom providing a glorious feast of colour.
On some of the Rhododendrons the buds were just opening, suggesting a hint of the colour about to emerge but these weren't the only colour on show .....
On a very small pond hidden amongst the vegetation were a couple of
Egyptian Geese but the stars were definitely the five male Mandarin Ducks.
Despite being an introduced species, I never get tired of watching this exotic and charming duck.
A little time was spent smartening up those feathers.
After their morning swim it was time to chill out together ... such is a duck's life!
FAB.
Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.
Beautiful flowers and those Mandarin's are really something. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms Frank. Superb shots of the Mandarins! They are absolutely fabulous!!
ReplyDeletegorgeous blooms and even more gorgeous fowl!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the Mandarin duck!
ReplyDeleteHi Frank The blooms are great but the Mandarin is very beautiful. Margaret
ReplyDeleteAmazing colour ranges frank,love the Mandarins.
ReplyDeleteJohn.
Duck, Duck, Goose!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous images of both...I've never seen the Egyptian Goose before today.
Mandarins are gorgeous! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThe colours are super! Especially the mandarins!
ReplyDeleteLovely images Frank... the Mandarin is a bird I have never seen in the wild.
ReplyDeleteSplendid shots of the Mandarins Frank and those Rhodies are so lovely.
ReplyDeleteall of the colours from one pallet and made into a duck - doesn't get better than that
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms and the birds are wonderful. I love the Mandarin Duck shots, the male is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers and the Mandarin Ducks are very colorful. I am always intrigued with the numbers of introduced species that have settled down happily in your country.
ReplyDeletewow, that´s amazing birds. Both species in their own rights.
ReplyDeletebeautiful flowers and gardens to enjoy and amazing duck photos Frank
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly the peak time for blooms and birds.
ReplyDeleteA very handsome duck.
ReplyDeleteCan't get over the Mandarin Ducks, they look just like Chinese trepans.
ReplyDeleteAre the Mandarins a breeding species?
ReplyDeleteCheers - and thanks for linking to WBW - Stewart M - Melbourne
HI Frank...A stunning post full of gorgeous color from the plant to animal life...very nice your photo's!!
ReplyDeleteGrace
Love the flowers, but those Mandarin Ducks are outstanding! We had a flock of uncertain origin at the Rio Grande Nature Center in New Mexico but they gradually diminished in number.
ReplyDeleteMandarin... They are very beautiful ducks. Female was probable in hole on the tree. It's too lovely because it very different than male Mandarin
ReplyDeleteWybacz Frank za moją angielszczyznę.
Przy okazji wspomnę że nazwy gatunków ptaków w moim kraju piszemy z małej litery :)
Pozdrwiam
Hi Everyone.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for all your visits and kind comments about the colourful Mandarins.
It is always fun to see where you take us and I enjoyed this walk with you as well, The flowers are scrumptious in colour and the Wood Ducks, wow, I especially like the ones on the tree branches, how neat that must have been to see and photograph~
ReplyDeleteHi Mary. Unlike the skittish pair of Mandarin Ducks on my local patch these fellows are obviously much more used to human attention.
ReplyDelete