Common but beautiful

Today's entry is this very common Mallard - a bird i've seen on every continent i've visited so far but i never fail to be impressed by the beautiful colours of the male.

I had a lovely birthday today, it was also my daughter's birthday and we spent the day together, birding, first of all at Venus Pool nature reserve, near Shrewsbury then later on at Wall Farm out on the Weald Moors of Shropshire. The Mallard photo was taken from the hide at Venus Pool. This is the first time my daughter and i have been together for our birthdays for 13 years, so it was a special day for us.

Later in the day i spent time with mum and dad, family time, lovely!

I also received two boxes of chocolates, mmm, off to sample a few right now :o)