The only reason I even packed my 100-400II to Japan and Korea was the hope of finding a Mandarin duck in some city pond to get some images. Japan was a bust, most people saying that they will be there in a month or else I'd have to go way north but plans didn't allow for that. In Korea I was told "they are on their way, but there is always a few crazy ones around somewhere"
Anyways on Jeju Island, S. Korea we went to a waterfall one evening and there were some ducks swimming around and being fed. First glance just showed the regular Mallards and Spot Billed that are everywhere. But then I saw her....Ms. Mandarin and a minute later her boyfriend showed up. It was too dark for pictures so I returned two days later and found 4 of them (1 male, 2 females and 1 juvenile male). Spent one hour with them and backed up my photos to 4 different sources
Here are a few of the images....needless to say I am very happy I lugged the 100-400 along despite the inconvenience.
The fanciest and most colorful duck there is and you captured them wonderfully, Geoff! I love the image showing feather closeup/details and both first images of each batch.
AGeoJO wrote:
The fanciest and most colorful duck there is and you captured them wonderfully, Geoff! I love the image showing feather closeup/details and both first images of each batch.
Great set of shots! I agree with a prior comment about the extreme close up. I like it. My favorite is #6 (first of the second batch). The ducks and reflection contrast nicely with the dark background. Your long trip paid off.
Thanks Tony. I do realize they can be found in a few spots in the US but finding them at home was more exciting. Not sure I need one as a pet
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tfoltz wrote:
Geoff, Nice set of these beauties #2 for me, come to the west coast during the winter months we always
seem to get a few.
angel manguel wrote:
Beauties Geoff. The female looks a lot like the wood duck female. Or did I miss that somewhere?
Alan
Yes the Wood duck and Mandarin duck are of the same genus and the females are almost identical but can be told apart by the white by the eye which is shaped different in each species.
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photpfan wrote:
congratulations. amazing shots. most beautiful ducks in the world. got to visit Jeju Island next time I am in Korea.
If you do visit Jeju and want to see this duck I think this set of 4 likely reside there year round. Usually they are only around in the winter months. These four are located at the Jeongbang waterfall. People feed the other ducks there and the male was banded so I'm guessing these four have figured out its a nice spot year round.
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Don George wrote:
Outstanding images. The detail on the close up is fantastic.
Thanks Don. That is a decent sized crop but with the duck filling the 5DSR frame you get a lot of pixels to show the details.
dclark wrote:
Great set of shots! I agree with a prior comment about the extreme close up. I like it. My favorite is #6 (first of the second batch). The ducks and reflection contrast nicely with the dark background. Your long trip paid off.
