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.
I loved this view and I took a shot with the water dead calm but as I was moving along the water's edge I stepped in the water making a slight ripple and so I decided to take another shot but one where I deliberately created a ripple and watched it slowly spreading out across the surface of the reservoir. While I really liked the image with the perfect reflection I thought the small rock centre left of this image combined with the ripple extending out from where I stood added extra interest to the image.
I really like swans, they are so graceful and serene (when they're not hissing at you). They will often pose obligingly for a photo as in the first of today's pictures and then they swim away so gently leaving barely a ripple. I am really pleased with the second picture because it captures the reflecting well. A few moments later a strengthening wind broke up the water's surface and there was no chance of getting another reflection. As always timing is the key.
