Miraculously we were at the right time and place, to spot a rare and incredible Mandarin duck at Burnaby Lake Park in Metro Vancouver this past winter. I’m pretty sure, this is the same creature that rocked excitement to near local stardom in the news over 3 years ago.
The flamboyant duck plumage marked its original habitat as Asia. Apparently they were introduced in various European countries.
Judging from the other park visitors, only a few even understood this rare bird paddling among a large flock of duck companions –green-winged teal ducks. Most park visitors gazed at the exotic Mandarin duck and then focused long on other plainer duck breeds. Mandarin duck seemed to be quite solitary despite being in midst of the lake’s duck kingdom.
Our first time in this park was after several consecutive days of prolonged rain –some days up to 25 mm. of rain and greyness. Judging from the variety of birds, they, like people, were snatching day’s sunny winter rays in their open water explorations.
You would not think in a large suburban park, there were wild mushrooms, various green luxuriant or wispy moss painting themselves over moist tree bark and branches. Signs of temperate rainforest growth peeking through watery yellow sunlight.
One guy, could not restrain himself from nearly shouting happily to anyone nearby to see the pilated woodpecker hammering busily for insects up in the trees. Then he would find another bird to trumpet his delight, not caring he might disturb his feathered friends.
I went to this park, not expecting much from a suburban park and came away, feeling we struck gold on catching sight of several different birds we hadn’t noticed before in our area. We hope to return, maybe later in spring or fall to see glimpse of more bird delights.
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Oh my, so much to marvel at in nature. Thanks for sharing, Jean.
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May bird inspiration carry you for rest of this month, Jane!
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Beautiful birds beautifully captured.
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Hope your spring in TX has been good so far, Pit!
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So many beautiful captures and the Mandarin duck such a marvel to see.
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We just simply walked up to see a bunch of ducks…and there was the Mandarin duck, paddling away. It seemed solo and quite independent. Hope it survives.
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It has come later than usual, and after some terrible destruction by a severe outbreak of winter, with temps as low as -20 Fahrenheit, which left us with many broken trees [https://wp.me/p4uPk8-3ln], but also with a winter wonderland [https://wp.me/p4uPk8-3kK].
Happy Easter to you,
Pit
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So beautiful! ❤ That Mandarin duck is unreal! Lucky sighting indeed. But I love all the bird photos, too.
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Only slowly in the past 2 years, I’ve started noticing birds. I’m sure there are some cool ones where you are now.
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These are very nice photos!
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When you see an incredible bird, hope someone will have a camera handy near by!
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