Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Male Eider............................................. Wildlife and Wetlands Trust Martin Mere

One of my favourite ducks... the Eider.

Eider (Somateria mollissima) male.
It's the UK's heaviest duck and it's fastest flying...
... the females breast feathers (eiderdown) have long been harvested for pillows and quilts.
Now largely replaced by down from domestic farm geese or synthetic alternatives.

Wild Bird Wednesday

16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

no mistaking that profile! awesome!

Anonymous said...

We have lots of these out here in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Yes, they are one big duck!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

What a handsome bird and an awesome macro shot, Andrew. I know that Eiderdown has largely been replaced, but their down is still in demand and is very expensive. I am assuming only the very rich could afford it. Love this ...

Andrea @ From The Sol

Susan said...

Beautiful photo of this attractive duck!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

WOW! What a fabuous portrait shots of the Eider.

Adam Jones said...

Very nice close up Andrew. It's a great place to visit.

Mersad said...

Beautifully captured. Really love the composition of the image.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

MadSnapper said...

handsome duck profile.. looks like a 3rd cousin several times removed from a penguin

Stewart M said...

Cracking shot! I was a bit disappointed not to see many of these when I was in the NE last year - I think I may have been there at the wrong time of the year. Next time perhaps?

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Gillian Olson said...

Wonderful picture, quite a striking profile.

Findlay Wilde said...

It's got one of the best calls as well as being really nice looking.

Tinie said...

Magnificent species portrait.
Greetings Tinie

Anonymous said...

Beautiful capture.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Such a beautiful duck. I'm glad they don't have to give up their feathers any more ;>)

A Colorful World said...

Your photo, and this duck's majestic profile...both works of art!

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful duck. Great details in the close up shot.