Last year a male Mandarin Duck showed up for about a week in Allen Texas before heading on down to Centennial Park in Irving. Manny the Mandarin caused quite a stir had photographers driving as much as 10 hours to photographer him. My post from last year.
Day 3 of Manny the Mandarin Duck
So imagine the buzz when a Mandarin showed up back in Allen Texas at the same pond the last week of January. About one week later than last year. The Local photographer has named this one Andy. Three weeks later a second male mandarin paired with a very young female mandarin. So at least three mandarins total! At least now I am not worried about him being all alone. So far this spring they are way more mobile and not staying only on one body of water. Late Sunday afternoon the sun came out and I got a text that both males were there. By the time I got up to Allen, only one male left but the light was good.
Feels good to be back out in the field with my camera. I am happy I started the 2017, 52 week project to ensure I keep the camera in my hand at least weekly. I am currently working a pair of breeding barred owls a few miles from the house so expect to see plenty of owl shots soon.
Life is good and I am blessed!
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The female does not look like the reference photos of a female mandarin, but doesn’t look like any other duck I have seen either. Hoping it is a young Mandarin female that hasn’t developed her markings yet.
