Tuesday 1 March 2011

Mallards on the River Weaver...............................


Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
My walk this weekend was to take images of the road swing bridges that span the River Weaver.
The bridges in my home town of Northwich were the first road swing bridges to be electronically controlled in the world.

Swing bridge at the appropriately named Acton Bridge





My post to this weeks World Bird Wednesday is dedicated to these lovely little birds. 
Probably the first bird most children (in the UK at least) first get to feed by throwing them bread.
Click on the link to see more beautiful birds from all over the world.

16 comments:

holdingmoments said...

One of my favourite ducks. Always so friendly, and always 'there'.

Unknown said...

The Mallards here are, of course more wild, and more wary, and as a result I am short of photos, but I found a new trail and will soon have a portfolio that rivals yours. I hope. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

joo said...

It's always fun to watch them! Lovely photos.

Martha Z said...

They are so common that people can sometime forget how beautiful they are.

Sondra said...

Always love the mallard, its like we can count on one to be there to impress us with their beauty! Excellent photos!!!

grammie g said...

Hi Andrew...Yes my favorite the Mallards..always look like they are smiling !! : }}
Great your photos of the Mallards..the emerald green head is gorgeous!!

Arija said...

Whoever gave the mallards their ornithological name still need their head read. Such a lovely bird and such an awful name certainly do not go together.

Delightful photos of your swing bridge, I admire the mechanics thereof and the charming towns along the barge routes.

mick said...

Great photos of the Mallards.
I also read the previous post about the bridges. Fascinating info and very nice photos also

Johnny Nutcase said...

great series, they're pretty cute!

Anonymous said...

Lovely Mallard photos and the swing bridge post is really interesting! Nice shots there too!

Springman said...

Sparkeling images Andrew! You bridge post is fascinating stuff. Anyone that lives around rivers knows their bridges and their Mallards!

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

I`ve never heard of a swing bridge,interesting info!
The mallards are beautiful birds,great shots.Cute picture of his feet showing & head under water,phylliso

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful shots of the Mallards.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I love learning the history of where people live -- as about the swing bridge. We have a couple of those here in FL (I guess I never really thought about how they're controlled)..

I love the ducks, they are beautiful -- and here too (or at least in the Pacific Northwest where we grew up and our kids grew up) they are not only the first bird kids learn to love by feeding bread but also I bet the first bird they learn about by reading in the baby books --as in 'What does the duck say?' " the duck says 'quack quack'....' I just read that book to my great-grandbaby last summer when we saw them.

They are beautiful birds and your shots, bridge and ducks are great -- thanks for sharing your walk.

Unknown said...

Wonderful duck captures and great bridge. I especially like the bridge reflection shot on the previous post.

theconstantwalker said...

Many thanks for all your lovely comments.