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The fish are mostly gone from Colonial Lake. They were either eaten by Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Cormorants, or humans fished them out of existence not too long after the state allowed fishing in mid March after stocking the lake with trout. The large raptors are now rarely seen at the lake. However, Mallards are plentiful and didn’t mind my coming close to them to take the following photos.
Some were strolling or marching down to the water as if they owned the lake, which they probably do.
Some male Mallards were completely brown from their neck down, and were perhaps hybrids of Mallard with some other type of duck.
Love the photo of the male mallards! A quick glance at the photo makes you think that it’s only one mallard with four legs! MZ
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Wonderful photos! We have lots of wild mallards at our place, they love stealing the chicken food. I wonder if that is a hybrid, his colour sure is different … Love the reflections too Hien …
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Thank you Julie! Mallards stealing chicken food! No wonder they don’t mind humans hanging around them.
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These are very smart ducks … they know when feed time is and patiently wait until they think I have gone …
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Mallards have beautiful breeding plumage, awesome captures, Hien. I love the steppin’ Mallards! 😊 The /different’ one is a domesticated Mallard, often called a White-bibbed Mallard. Your photos of him are gorgeous!
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I did not know about White-bibbed Mallards. Thank you for the information, Donna!
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You’re very welcome, Hien! I’m always in learning mode. 😉
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Of course I love them all but the mallard caught in mid-step, adorable. 😊
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Thank you Irene!
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These are wonderful, Mr.Hien. And such beautiful ducks 🦆
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Thank you Takami!
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Beautiful photos of one of my favorite birds, especially like the water reflections. I think the mallard and ring-necked pheasant are my two favorites – their colors and they remind me very much of home.
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Thank you! I have not seen a ring-necked pheasant yet, although they are supposed to be in our region.
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Beautiful. The colours are so vibrant.
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Thank you!
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This is in Mercer County? You made good use of the wonderful weather.
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Colonial Lake is indeed in Mercer county, not far from Princeton.
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Beautiful photographs, Hien, as usual. Mallards are beautiful birds, but people tend to overlook because they are so common. Thanks for sharing this magnificent images! Marcus
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You are right of course. Mallards for me is a good fall-back when other birds such as eagles and ospreys are avoiding an area.
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You wonder how well the hybrids do with the female mallards, whether their unusual plumage is an advantage or disadvantage. Perpahs it makes no difference bad it the quality of the courtship that matters?
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I’ve noticed the hybrids tend to stay with one another, if that means anything.
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That’s interesting.
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Beautiful captures, Hien! Loved the ‘dubbelganger’ picture of the two males, in particular.
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Ah, those Prussian, goose-stepping Mallards! 🙂 Thank you, Helen!
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Mallards are so pretty! I always love your photos! Happy Week wishes sweetie
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Thank you very much!
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I’ve been enjoying watching the little courtships that have been happening all around me. The males really try hard to get attention.
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In the avian world, males do have to work hard for attention!
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Loved your male mallards shot Hien – looks like a 4-legged duck! And of course the image with the reflection – gorgeous
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Thank you Tina!
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An unusual hybrid – he’s pretty!
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Thank you Eliza!
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