It was almost a beutiful day today. There was lots of sunshine, marred only by a few sharp showers that passed over quickly (though I did manage to get caught in one at lunchtime). The morning though was dry, and bright.
Down at Falmer Pond, the greylags were honking, and I watched pair come in to land on the water.
Note the rather dapper duck in the background. He’s the Muscovy drake, and a fine looking duck if ever there was one. He’s taken a fancy to the park bench and commandeers it most mornings.
Meanwhile the female Muscovy prefers the leafy fringes around the church. Here she is on the wall by the entrance.
She then headed towards the ivy and eventually disappeared through the hedge into a neighbouring garden.
One more of the drake. A face like this simply demands a portrait.
That’s what I call a dapper duck!
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
dW
22 Feb 2014Muscovy ducks always remind me of “Ieabrlle Elisabeth, the Duck that Lived Alone” … a choldhood book, though I doubt a copy exists today.
Except for mine, of course.
I love the greylags … I think they are the prettiest goose.
dW
22 Feb 2014That’s “Isabelle”. This thing won’t let me edit.
Darko
22 Feb 2014Red on its face remind me on masks they wear on Venice Carnival, the design, I mean. The last one has a haircut like a rock star, too 😛
Words
22 Feb 2014Darko, they are absolutely like masks, and so ornate. Despite their name, they originate in South America though this pair are clearly domestically bred.
Words
22 Feb 2014dW, the greylags have a nice little colony at the pond, occasionally boosted by visiting greylags. They’re quite friendly too, with only the occasional hissy fit!
I’d not heard of that book, but you are right about it being out of print. I did spot some second-hand copies on Abe Books though.
Not sure what I can do about the edit feature at the moment. I’ll explore options as there’s nothing more irritating!