Every morning, a flock of between 20-50 mallards flies in to have
breakfast at the cracked-corn buffet we supply by the pond out our kitchen
window. We are always on the watch for whom else they might bring with
them.

For the past two weeks there have been 1 to 3 pairs of wood ducks
with the mallards, also eating the corn. Last year, one pair remained to
raise a family.

This morning, one of the wood ducks looked more than a little bit
different. Upon looking closer, we identified a pair of MANDARIN DUCKS!!
They fly, hence are not pinioned, and are unlikely to be escapes from
someone's collection. Are these strays from Asia? :-) :-)

Bill and Erin Woods Woods Tree Farm Redmond, WA U.S.A.
<wwwbike at halcyon.com>