Rising Mallard From a Farm Pond

Mallards are known as "common" wild ducks. Still, they are as beautiful as any. Their distinctive markings set them apart from all others, especially the 'curly feather' between the dark back and light tail. I'm also assured that the Mallard is the only duck that sports such a curly feather. And who could miss that iridescent green head and white ring around the neck. Bird lovers tell me that the less colorful female identifies the male by the beautiful elongated marine blue patches on the wings adjacent to the body. They are beautiful in a flock but when you can focus your complete attention on a single male rising from a farm pond or 'slough' you get to appreciate the totality of its magnificent features. The cattle fence by this pond reminds me that it was painted at one of my favorite trekking grounds, the King's Meadow Marsh at Windsor, Nova Scotia.