These guys weren’t part of my plan for the day!
I was going to show you Baden-Baden,
but the Mandarins got in my way!
Why are Mandarin Ducks swimming wild in Germany you may well wonder?
Although Mandarin Duck populations are dwindling in their native Russia and Asia, some escapees from captivity are breeding in the wild in Germany and The UK. I happened upon these guys today on the Oos River in Baden-Baden Germany.
So, it is cheers to you, and Happy Spring, from the gorgeous German Mandarins~
Goodness those colours are gorgeous!
Aren’t they incredible! They seemed to enjoy having their photos taken!
Ha, they are the result of something that Mother Nature did right! Beautiful!
They are strikingly beautiful aren’t they!
Such gorgeous birds! ๐
The feather patterns were just unbelieveable!
Cindy, these look unreal!! ๐๐The colours so vibrant and varying ….nature at its creative best!!
God Bless Mother Nature and all her creatures! <3
These ducks are quite extraordinarily colourful. I have not seen a Mandarin duck before. Gorgeous, Cindy.
It was pretty surprising for me to see them on a cold spring day, swimming wild in the Oos River in Baden-Baden Germany!
Wow, so beautiful pictures of the beautiful. ๐
Beautiful bird. should it stay. ๐
They were beautiful and not too shy! Very glad you like them~
These ducks are beautiful I have never seen ducks like these before. I am used to seeing the white ones.
It was a big surprise for me to see them in Germany!
Wow, what cool birds and photos of course! ๐ <3
Hugs & cheers to you Natalie from Germany!
Hey missyโผ๏ธ Hugs and cheers to you as well from Texasโฃ๏ธ๐
Oh my, so beautiful Cindy.
I’ve only seen these birds twice in my life, the second time I had the camera with me. They looked like they were made of porcelain as the glided by me. TTFN
I was quite excited to see one, then eventually, two and finally four! They are so lovely and seem to enjoy having their photos taken!
Cheers. I’ll have to make time to get out and look for them again at the same park. TTFN
Yes! Please do! I hear they also have established a small colony in Northern California, although I have certainly never seen them. The UK has the largest wild breeding group. If I were you, I would be beyond thrilled to find them, because it is mating and nesting and hatching season! Imagine the photos! Imagine the experience! So, if you can, and want to, go back where you saw them float by, and see if they are there! I would be thrilled to see your photos! <3
Soon as I get out, I’ll do that gal. Thanking you! X
Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
They are beautiful. looking forward to your photos of Baden-Baden have not seen the area since the early 80’s.
It is such a gorgeous place and we stayed in the historic Brenner’s Park Hotel as a surprise for my husband’s birthday. Lovely!
Nice Birthday surprise, great place to spend a birthday.
Thank you! I wanted it to be epic for him and it was.
gorgeous!
Aren’t they incredible!
simply wonderful ๐ ๐
I love my blogging friends~ <3
What incredibly beautiful birds and stunning photographs.
Your thoughtfulness is most appreciated Marie & cheers to you!
So pretty!
I have now been thinking about you and your potential future trip. Please share with me your plans as you make them, if you choose. I so love planning travel. It is an anticipatory part of the whole wonderful process, and I really think people should do it themselves. It helps them know a place before they go, and makes it more personally rewarding.
Thank you so much Cindy! I will email you via contact page ๐
Such beautiful ducks, Cindy ๐
They have all the colors of the rainbows,
on their feathers,
floating by~
Thank you Louis Armstrong <3
A melody of colours, just looking at these pictures make me happy
xx Storyteller
Your comment made me so HAPPY I blog! <3
Wow. Beautiful. Males I presume, strutting their stuff?
Yes! With no females yet on site. Hopefully, this will change!
They are magnificient, as are your photos. ๐
Ahh, I love my fellow blogger traveling companions! They encourage me~ <3
Beautiful shots ! โบ
Your are so kind and so motivating. Danke schoen~ ๐ฆ
So colorful they look like toys! Incredible what nature produces! When collecting images of birds on Pinterest, I sometimes wonder whether colors have been doctored via Photoshop or not. Glad you had a chance to enjoy these Mandarins. I’m sure they enjoyed your attention too! ๐
Yes! They look like something a super skillful photo manipulator might make up. Fortunately they are not. Here are other people’s photos of them via google image search:
https://www.google.com/search?q=mandarin+duck&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS668US668&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLlLm7sLzTAhWKr1QKHaJZApYQ_AUICCgB
They are widely considered the world’s most beautiful duck. and I agree. Plus, I am certain, they reacted to the lens. They seemed to pose, moving as is if to say, wait, you didn’t get my best angle!
Laughing and hugs to you dear Lynn~ <2
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Magnificent birds photographed by Cindy.
You are a thoughtful and lovely person! Thank you for supporting the beautiful Mandarins~ <3
Wat een kleurenpracht en zo mooi gefotografeerd.
I just found your comment in my WP spam folder! So sorry I missed it until now and thank you!
Reblogged this on Voices and Visions.
Thank you dear Sharon from the Mandarins and I! We appreciate you~ <3
Quack an impressive natural produck, my friend! ๏ผผ๏ผผ\โง( หฬฑหหหฬฑ )โโ( หฬฑหหหฬฑ ) โง /๏ผ๏ผ
Your comment was in my WP spam folder. So glad I checked because I wouldn’t want to miss this!
๏ผผ๏ผผ\โง( หฬฑหหหฬฑ )โโ( หฬฑหหหฬฑ ) โง /๏ผ๏ผ
spam? Oh dear WP thinks I’m quakers too!๐ป
just WOW Cindy..amazing colors…:-)
Aren’t they remarkable! Mother Nature has quite a paint pot!
Let’s hope they take over the world!
Yay!!! Let’s do! <3
These are real? They are beautifully painted . . . by nature I guess ๐
Yes they are real! Check out the google photos of them. You have a decent wild population in the UK!
https://www.google.com/search?q=mandarin+duck&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS668US668&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiLlLm7sLzTAhWKr1QKHaJZApYQ_AUICCgB
Wow! That’s cool. I have never seen them here but I will now have to go and find a place (hopefully nearby) where I can see the real thing. Thanks Cindy. ๐๐
They look bright and beautiful, Cindy! Amazing work of nature, indeed!
Mother Nature was feeling very happy when she made these guys! <3
Absolutely, Cindy! By the way, I have updated my follow icon on my blog after reading your comment. Thank you very much for letting me know that the icon was missing!
Oh ….. those colors!!!!!!!!!!
I love color and I love birds, so this is a love-love situation! <3
You captured them beautifully Cindy ๐
They are stunning!
Marvelous photos Cindy!
You are very kind! Thank you~
They are really striking, aren’t they? Until a few months ago, I would not have know what they were–the head feathers are arranged a bit like a wood duck, but other than that… Another blogger has been shooting pictures of them in England. I think that proves your point about them escaping and breeding elsewhere. Enjoy your trip.
The UK and Germany are the two European countries with wild populations of these beauties!
These ducks are gorgeous, they make such a pretty picture. ๐
I love their hair-do! <3
Absolutely Beautiful Creatures.
We are in complete accord!
Ooh, they are beautiful
Danke schoen! They surprised the heck out of me!
oh wow the vibrant colours!! :O
Pretty incredible aren’t they!
They are! wow what a coat!
Wow!! Very, very nice birds. Magnificient shots!
Muchas gracias Isabel y abrazos! <3
Beautiful shots of such colourful ducks!
Thanks much Cynthia & cheers to you!
Gorgeous they are indeed, Cindy ๐
They certainly are deserving attention getters aren’t they!
<3 ๐
What beauties, thanks for the introduction.
Thanks more for appreciating them!
Ohhhhhhh !!
๐ฆ๐ฆ <3
I’m glad they got in the way — they are beautiful survivors! Thank you Cindy!
Yes! They made my day! ๐ฆ
Triple Wowzeeee beautiful Cindy, thanks.. for the eye candy… I will pray they multiply, they are beautiful..
Oh good, and I hope your prayers are answered my friend~ ๐ฆ
Nature got out her magic markers and let loose on the day she came up with these birds. So amazingly beautiful. I’m glad they are still around and finding new homes. Great photos, Cindy.
I would like to personally send out an invitation for them to fly on over to The Holler! ๐ ๐ฆ
Such beautiful birds!
๐ฆ <3
We love birds, too. though I think Mr. M prefers them to be cooked, he manages to get along by chirping at them from the windowsill. ๐
Such colorful little creatures! ๐
Amazing aren’t they!
They can’t be real. They could have been sold by F. A. O. Schwartz. Did you see them move?
I saw them move, swim, fly, sleep and peep. softly. They are waiting for the lady ๐ฆ๐ฆ!
Wow! Beautiful birds!
Thanks so much & cheers to you~
Cindy, these are such beautiful ducks! I’m learning so much from our trip, thanks to your posts — stay safe and I look forward to seeing more of the sights with you!
Love traveling with you Debbie! <3
It’s difficult to imagine a bird, or any other species, more beautiful than this.
There are considered the world’s most beautiful duck, and I believe this!
Amazingly beautiful! The most beautiful bird in the world, indeed!
They certainly seem comfortable posing for the camera. I would too, if I looked like them!
It’s so wonderful to travel with you, Cindy! ๐
Amazing colours ๐
Incredible!
OMG -what amazing colors! They are truly designer birds and look quite alien and made up ๐ Thanks for sharing these amazing glimpses Cindy!
Designer ducks! Thank goodness they are wild and free to fly at will~
๐
I am just blown away with the colors of the little ducks! The photography is amazing! Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos – you are an incredibly talented photographer! Wow. K D
You are an incredibly kind person and I am touched and humbled by your lovely comment~
Thank you Cindy, my pleasure, your photos are wonderful and brightened my day! Karen
Your comment brightened mine~ ๐ฆ
Ach – sind die sรผร!!!
Sie sind Deutsche Mandarinen-Enten und sie sind sehr sรผร!
Wow, I have never seen such beautiful fowl – such great shots – thanks for sharing.
Yay! Another critter Antionette likes! I am on a roll and the duckies think you have excellent taste! ๐ฆ
The colors on these birds are incredible. I’m amazed.
I was amazed to see them, especially in Germany in the snow!!!! ๐ฆ
That is one seriously beautiful duck!!!! People don’t eat them, do they? They look like show ducks!
I am VERY happy to report the answer is no! Their meat does not taste good. Lucky duckies! ๐ฆ
YAY!!!!!!!
Pingback: Blogbummel April 2017 – 2. Teil – buchpost
I was so impressed with them, that I included them in Lisa the robot girl’s tattoos. Beautiful photos.
How very cool! I imagine they would make a striking tattoo!
Wow, what beauties! Nature’s palette on display. Thanks, Cindy.
Thank you more for appreciating them Rosaliene!
i give them my vote for nature’s most beautiful duck. The photography is pretty amazing too — the rippling of the water over the feet and the droplets of water on the breast and those colors — WOW. The water surrounding the duck looks like a Monet painting.
You have a very observant eye Colleen. They are definitely incredibly beautiful creatures. Thank you for noticing and taking the time to comment on the details my friend! <3
Wowza! What beautiful colors.
And they had docile personalities to match!
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
Beautiful Mandarin ducks – lovely to see!
๐
The ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ and I are so grateful for you! Thank you for your kind thoughtfulness~ <3
They are beautiful, and quite majestic – you captured them perfectly!
๐
Ahhh, thanks so much & cheers to you!
Wow! Such beauty!
I was taken aback by them too!
I just love them!! What delightful subjects for photography. You will forever think of them when you think of Baden-Baden!
You are so correct. They will be forever associated together in my mind!
Unbelievable colours they have. Thanks for sharing Cindy.
Leslie
Thank you for appreciating them. I think they are definitely used to being gawked at!
๐
Oh sooooo much gorgeousness that you captured so well!
Alison <3
Thank you Alison! I was quite jazzed to happen upon them! Cheers to you my friend~
Wow to their colorful and intricate designs!
Yes, they have all these different colored, textured, shaped and printed feathers!
Such vibrant colours!!
And such different shapes and textures to the feathers!
Yes, they are just as colorful as Wood Ducks, or perhaps maybe even more so.
Wood ducks are beautiful too!
The certainly are…..I love them….now if I could only get a good shot of them in flight!!
Well, first you’d have to find them! I watched them for two days. Four ducks. All males. Didn’t move much. They were waiting for the females who had yet to arrive. I don’t know if the females ever arrived. I would love to go back and photograph the ducklings if the females do show up!
I know what you mean…you need to be so patient sometimes in order to get the shot….something I’m still working on.
Definitely the most challenging type of photography~
So beautiful AND adorable!!
And they make the softest, sweetest little peeping noise, no loud quacking for these fashionistas!
Strikingly beautiful! ๐
They are amazing aren’t they!
They are wonderful, and always look like they were invented by Mondrian or someone similar.
They do look exactly like that! Love it! Mondrians!
I had no idea they are this beautiful. Baden-Baden ain’t going anywhere. So I guess it can wait! ๐
Their beauty surprised me too! ๐ฆ
Wow! Such incredible vibrancy! I’d never seen such majestic looking ducks before. ๐
Pretty amazing aren’t they, and so quiet and well behaved!
Gorgeous! They must surely be one of the most cheerful looking animals ever, don’tcha think?
I just found your comment in WP spam! I think are fantastic beasts and I was very lucky to find them! (Thank you JK & Joey!)
What magnificent creatures. No wonder you got side tracked!
First there was one, and then the others came, all males, waiting for the girls to arrive. I hope they do. It would be wonderful for Baden-Baden to have more of these gorgeous creatures!
Those are the most colorful birds I have ever seen!
+1 They are so colorful!
Aren’t they incredible! I was amazed to find them floating along here in Germany!
Great pictures of these beautiful birds!
Amazing aren’t they, and I love the curves and textures of the feathers!
Did you get to see them close to see the textures of the feathers?
I was probably about 15 feet away at the closest and shot with zoom for the details~
Ah, I forget about the zoom ๐
I can’t live without zoom! <3
Such striking colors makes me wonder how things looked way back in their ancestral tree, in the days of the dinosaurs.
I was also wondering how they evolved. I will google it!
An artist’s palette all on one duck! ๐ Your photos are stunning, Cindy, wow!
Mother Nature gave me a distinct advantage with these lucky duckies! ๐ฆ๐ฆ
These ducks were never around when I wandered through the Allee, along the River Oos….:-)
I thought of you. You said I should go to Baden-Baden. You were right, and the ducks prove it! I hope a huge colony breeds in Germany. They are such gentle ducks. You grew up in a beautiful part of the world.
Gosh what color! And of course, you managed to capture it so vividly with your lens.
Awww, the ๐ฆ๐ฆ and I thank you!
Fantastic photos. Mandarin ducks are exquisitely colorful aquatic birds. I absolutely love them. What an incredible blessing to see them up close. You captured amazing shots. I’m so thrilled that these Mandarins got in your way! ๐
They got in my way and made my day! So happy you like them as much as I do & cheers to you~ ๐ฆ๐ฆ
These Mandarins are gorgeous!! I am happy they got in your way!
Me too, I was thrilled to see these cute little quackers! ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Wow! Gorgeous capture of those stunning birds.
Honored, thank you, and the ๐ฆ๐ฆ thank you too!
๐
Cindy those ducks are amazing!!
They really are something special!
Like living art these birds. Gorgeous captures.
Living Art would have been a great title for the post! ๐ฆ
Ohh, what a find! Mandarins in the wild in Germany, I would’ve stopped everything too, Cindy. Fantastic photos!
It is good to know we both have our priorities straight! Quack~ ๐ฆ
Gorgeous! They almost don’t look real!
I had to include google image search results because people couldn’t believe the photos weren’t doctored!
Right! So beautiful!
๐ฆ
We are totally blown away by the colors of those birds! They look more like paintings than real birds!
Mother Nature was in a very creative mood when she designed these guys! ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Wow!! These ducks are beautiful! I’ve never seen such brilliant colors on ducks!
Colors, textures, shapes and hair-dos, these ๐ฆ๐ฆ got it going on! Cheers to you my friend and great to hear from you~
To be honest, I had never enjoyed such vivid colors in such tender birds. They are beautiful photos. A recess for the view.
Lovely! Thank you so much! You make me happy I took them~ ๐ฆ
Reblogged this on WHOLE.
The ๐ฆ๐ฆand I thank you kindly for your thoughtfulness and send you good cheers from Germany~
you are very welcome, but seriously, those colors are really awesome ๐
Mother Nature is a quacking good artist!
Ahahaha you did do a good job on capturing that art so kudos to you as well ๐
So appreciated. Thank you! ๐ฆ
You quacking welcome ๐
๐
๐
Oh how cute are these, Cindy. So colourful and with a little chubby tummy too!
Aren’t they adorable. I would so love to be there to see the ducklings!
Oh yes…they would be even more gorgeous!! ๐
So delightful! And a bit cheeky looking ๐
Quite confident they deserve all the attention they get and quite experienced in posing for the camera!
I bet Cindy ๐
Completely fabulous, Cindy. They don’t look like real creatures at all – if you tried to describe one, people would laugh! RH
You’re right. I had to include google image search photos so people would believe the photos weren’t doctored!
Wow, you have a wondrfull eye. These photos are just amazing and those ducks are so beautiful. I’m so glad to visit your blog, what an incredible greeting.
What a wonderful comment! Thank you so much! You made my heart smile. Cheers to you and great to meet you~ ๐ฆ
My pleasure, Cindy.
Oh, wow, Cindy. I am so glad you took a detour! โCurt
They didn’t quack either, it was more of a gentle peep, utterly charming little guys waiting for the girls to show up~ ๐ฆ
“waiting for the girls to show up.” It’s our job. (grin)
laughing…..
Wow, a color show! Beautiful images!
Aren’t they incredible. Apparently there are some wild ones in Northern California, but I have never seen them~
Oh, Cindy, not only are these ducks colorful, they are the cutest ducks ever!
I agree with you and you should hear their sweet little peeps. They don’t quack, they peep. So adorable~ ๐ฆ
Gorgeous photos of gorgeous ducks. Maybe there really is something healthy about the waters in Baden-Baden.
They are spa ducks and they get the treatment on the cheep!!! ๐
GORGEOUS! Their colors are amazing. Beautiful photography!๐๐
Aww, thank you so much Vashti & cheers to you my friend~ ๐ฆ
Incredible! Such great images and wow, what a subject to photograph!
They definitely created an unfair photographic advantage! ๐ฆ
Ha!
Beautiful!
Danke schoen!
These are gorgeous, dear Cindy.
Blessings ~ Wendy
So happy you like them and blessings back 2UX2 Wendy! <3
So vibrant. Super colors!
Sometimes I sense that super beautiful birds know they stand out. Birds are actually being studied for having a sense of self. These beautiful creatures truly seemed to pose for the camera! ๐ฆ
They do exude a lot of style!
It’s all in the feathers! ๐
Oh wow Cindy. Magnificent! ๐
Mother nature doesn’t mess around! Quack~ ๐ฆ
No she doesn’t! ๐ ๐
These are so cute!
And they have the sweetest, softest little peeps, not quacks like other ducks! ๐ฆ
They are breathtakingly beautiful! At first I wasn’t even sure if they were real!
I know. I had to give people google images of them so they would believe they weren’t photo shopped!
๐
so beautiful colors
Amazing creatures aren’t they! ๐ฆ
Prima donnas !!
Yes! Although male so we might want to call them primo uomos!
Thanks for the correction.
I had to look it up as I didn’t remember the term. Thank you for prompting me to do this & cheers to you~ ๐ฆ
Omg, those are the prettiest ducks I have ever seen. ๐
I agree with you and they had nice dispositions as well. They are generally thought to be the most beautiful ducks in the world!
Beautiful !
Vielen dank!
Oh Cindy, these pictures are incredible. Simply stunning! Wow … ๐
They were the most amazing, unusual, and unexpected gift to come upon. And their behavior was so remarkable too, very calm, with really soft vocalizations that sounded like quiet peeps. Of course I fell hard for them. So happy you are moved by them too~
Nice !!!
Danke!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
If you are ever looking for something to brighten your day then you really should follow Cindy Knoke who takes the most splending photographs. Today Mandarin Ducks in all their oriental splendour..Fashion designers take note.. this is how you put together a colour palette together for your next collection..#recommended
Mother Nature outdid herself with these little quackers. The patterns, textures and colors really are a design marvel. Many thanks and hugs & cheers to you dear Sally! <3
They are beautiful Cindy and you captured them stunningly. hugs โฅ
Glorious colours ๐
Mother Nature rocked the duck artistry on these boys!
Exquisite Cindy!! I can see how they were a beautiful distraction!! thanks!
Thanks much Rhonda! They were especially distracting because they were so unexpected~
And brilliant! We have mandarin ducks that sometimes nest at our park, but they are mostly green and browns. Hope you run into lots more beautiful distractions Cindy!! xo
What a colourful and cheerful encounter, Cindy! I prefer those lovely creatures to the streets of Baden Baden, (also VERY pretty.) <3 ๐ It pays to be prepared, always ready to shoot. ๐
Yes, one must always travel with a camera or face the inevitable regret of a missed opportunity~
What fantastic birds and the colours are amazing and of course well photographed
Ahh, you are very kind and most appreciated~
Bonjour ๐
Magnifiques oiseaux ! merci
Merci beaucoup mon ami! ๐ฆ
๐
OMG! WHAT colors, art and beauty and your sharing < thank you Cindy dear its amazing. How creative and beautiful is nature
Nature provides us with beauty to feed our souls. Thank you Tanveer for knowing this and all the best to you my friend~
Thank you so much Cindy dear. Keep spreading beauty and colors of life ๐ <3
Visa versa 2UX2! <3
OMG Cindy, they are spectacular, and they absolutely know it! Beautiful posers!
Yes! They absolutely do know it! So happy you can see this~ ๐ฆ
I still think you should be photographing for National Geographic! I just saw the next post and came back to this one since I’m behind. These photos are just stunning! Deep envy here on your trip. ๐ Enjoy.
You are so kind and so appreciated. You made my <3 smile. ๐ท cheers to you from Germany!
Generosity has nothing to do with it. I’ve seen a LOT of professional photos. I’ve got to find a way to go back one more time.
These are very striking ducks, and your photos of them are superb! Yes, you should be photographing for National Geographic!
Awww, humbled & honored! Thank you~ ๐
They are “beautifuler” than I remember ๐
Seeing them is something you never forget and I can well imagine them getting beautifuler! ๐
These are some of the best photographs of Mandarins that I’ve ever seen – amazing color and your clarity/close-up shots are stunning.
Oh, I am honored and humbled. Thank you sincerely Mary! ๐
They are a work of art!
And we are both grateful to the Designer who created these beautiful creatures! ๐
Totally!
Wonderful shot, Cindy. I wonder if those ducks know how pretty they are. ๐
I definitely think they do!!! <3
Wow! Those are more colorful than the tulips! — Oscar
They match the tulips and swim right by them! ๐
Incredible! Mother Nature at her best!
She is one rockin artist! ๐
Love these post-modern refugees. They have more color and sass than a river of mallards. Those flowers in your next post are a hammer-blow of beauty. Europe has its extravagances. We could learn from it!
Yes we could learn if we were willing! Love you calling The Mandarins refugees! They are, and like all refugees they contribute so much to the places they land! Hugs to you dear Brenda~ <3
If only we could see the value in each other. We would all be so much happier. At least you and I do. It’s a start. ๐
“If only we could see the value in each other. We would all be so much happier.” This is brilliant Brenda and I would love to see you develop this into a post. Who could credibly disagree? And the impact of the thought is incredibly powerful. When we devalue others, we are really devaluing that which is also beautiful in ourselves, and everyone ends up worse for it. Who was it that said don’t evaluate yourself by your theology, evaluate yourself by your love in action.
Love to you Brenda~ <3
Great idea. I do think the simplest ideas have the most potential to change us.
Can I use a photo or two of these wonderful birds in a post? I’m trying to write a post, but none of my photos seem a good fit for the idea we discussed.
Oh I am so glad you are going with it and look forward to see what you come up with!
You can use any photo, anytime, without asking (thank you for asking) and I would be pleased and honored~ <3
Gorgeous colors!!!
Mother Nature has a rockin palette!
Oh yes
https://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/4212101ermai013.jpg
Bonne vie ร toi mon cher ami Bernard! ๐ท
They’re beautiful, Cindy. Like artwork themselves! ๐
Mother Nature out did herself! <3
Wow, Cindy! Glad they got in the way. They look so unreal. I’ve never seen such unusual combination of coloring in one bird. Stunning visuals. <3
They surprised the heck out of me in a very wonderful way. I didn’t expect to see them or the snow that fell that day!
Snow, really! Life is full of surprises.
It sure does. The snow came after a month long heat wave!
This is the homeland of my Great-Great grandfather. What a gorgeous collection of pictures… Thanks for sharing…
Your Great-Great Grandfather comes from a truly beautiful part of the world. Thanks for stopping by & cheers to you!
Thanks for following my blog- linesoflisteningblog.wordpress.com. It is appreciated. Joyce
I am not following but I would be happy to head over and check out your blog, thank you for the invite. Cheers to you~
It must be aw inspiring to see such colorful birds as these are up close and personal. I cannot imagine seeing these in person. Here of course we see colorful humming birds and the rare peacock running around. You are just so lucky! ๐
I was thrilled to see these guys, all the more so because it was entirely unsuspected. I couldn’t believe they were swimming in the snow in Germany!
I have never laid eyes on such an exotic duck. It almost seems like a fake ! Like they’ve just come from a fashion show and bought something couture. Bravo for the escapes that have brought these to the lens of Ms Knoke! x K
I know. All these people were too polite to call me a big fat liar! But they were all saying, “these can’t be real.” So I just gave them a google image search link to Mandarin Ducks. The ducks destroyed the whole 2017 Met Gala held recently. Eat your heart out, Anna Wintour! They are more couture than Vogue.
What beautiful plumage! I had never seen a Mandarin Duck before!
I certainly was not expecting to see them in Germany in the snow!