No leg bands...
...primaries are all intact...
...somehow, though, I don't think any rare bird committee would accept this one! Regardless...he's quite a stunner!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sacramento Mandarin Duck
After shooting an adventure racing team at Lake Natoma, I spent the afternoon with my 5 year old son, Simon at McKinley Park in East Sacramento. This is a great spot for close views of wild WOOD DUCKS as the pond there has several pairs. Today the pond held a surprise...an adult male MANDARIN DUCK (who copulated with a very willing female Wood Duck). This is a free flying bird that is likely an escape...but you never know!
No leg bands...
...primaries are all intact...
...somehow, though, I don't think any rare bird committee would accept this one! Regardless...he's quite a stunner!
No leg bands...
...primaries are all intact...
...somehow, though, I don't think any rare bird committee would accept this one! Regardless...he's quite a stunner!
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3 comments:
Hi Steve,
I have heard there is an established wild population in Sonoma County...however, McKinley Park is not too far from the Sacramento Zoo, as a Mandarin duck flies... I have no idea if all the Mandarins there are banded.
Beautiful portrait of the Mandarin!
Cheers,
Dee Warenycia
He's still there! Or at least, there's still a mandarin drake at McKinley Park. We just came back from the park.
Steve,
Just saw two mandarin males (and two females who look like wood ducks, BTW, except longer white eye line and a longer tuft on the back of the head) at McKinley Park. Very rare and very exciting, whether escapees or not.
Beautiful photos, BTW.
Dell
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