Male Mandarin Duck

It has been several weeks since my first distant sighting of the Male Mandarin Duck at Stithians reservoir southern cut-off but today he put in a good long show coming close in to the waters edge at the cut-off hide. he was amid a group of mainly male Mallard that started to feed on water weed along the margins and it quickly became obvious that he was heading the pack when it came to down to who fed where as he saw off all of the larger mallard that got in his way as he selected his feeding grounds with purpose,  As he worked his way along the margins it was also interesting to note how well his dramatic Picasso style plumage was broken by the reeds and margin vegetation when he stopped to feed,  This amazing looking bird was well capable of looking after itself among strangers and its body language oozed with a sense of well being that made it a pleasure to watch and photograph.