Sharp-Looking Duck

As we were walking round our neighbour's lake this morning I heard an unusual whistling call. "Proop-proop. Proop-proop." Shortly afterwards I spotted an unusual duck in the distance. What a thrill! It was a lovely drake northern pintail. I have photographed these uncommon dabbling ducks on only two occasions in the past, both at nature reserves and one of those from a hide. It's much more exciting and rewarding to chance upon one whilst walking with my dog and to capture it on my own 'patch'.

Its name Anas acuta means duck + sharpen from the male's long pointed tail. These ducks are winter visitors to Essex and rarely breed here.