Mallard Hen in Brillant Color

This Mallard hen raised a brood of seven in a little pond known as Lake Hill off of the Ephraim Canyon Road in Sanpete County, Utah, USA. She and her little ones were the only waterfowl on the pond. It was fun to watch them through the summer. I originally took this photo to show the speculum. I couldn't get the composition I wanted because of the grasses around the edge of the pond. Nature doesn't always provide the perfect setting. When I went back to the photo, I was delighted with it. It shows off the color of a Mallard hen wonderfully.
I admired this hen a great deal. I thought she showed a lot of courage watching over her duckling and keeping herself and them safe throughout the summer. I hope she comes back again.
Read less