Tufted Duck

This is a lovely specimen of a male tufted duck. In winter its plumage is brighter and crisper than in the summer when both male and female tufted ducks somewhat drab and dull by comparison. 

I particularly like the first of today's images because the tuft is more visible but also because of the perfect ripple forming rings around the duck. In the second image the birds golden eye is sharp and clear. It is a similar colour the Chancellor Palpatine's eyes in The Revenge of the Sith.

These pictures were taken at Mere Sands on New Years Day, shortly before the cormorant pictures that I shared on Monday. I had a good few hours there and will no doubt be back there before long when the weather is good enough.

Look Into My Eyes!

I am sticking with frogs today and this gorgeous specimen is a Mission Golden-Eyed Tree Frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix). They are also known as Amazon Milk Frogs, so called because when they are stressed they secrete a milky white poisonous fluid.

I think I prefer the Golden-Eyed  Tree Frog because it emphasises its rather beautiful eyes.

I have previously posted a picture of this frog in an earlier post but on that occasion it was a very different view so if you have a moment it's worth checking it out... so click on the link