Aix galericulata

Don't you just love latin? It makes you look intelligent. Except that I had to google 'british ducks' to discover that this is a Mandarin Duck. I'm sure I've seen it on a menu somewhere.

This so nearly slipped me by. Sometimes you notice subtle changes better than major changes, like your partner's hair colour change. As I was driving past, I was aware that something was different about the sign, a sign that I can't remember noticing before. Holmes would not hire me.

I have no idea what the ducks were doing balancing on the sign. It had been raining, but surely it wasn't that wet. Even for ducks. But then, maybe Mandarin ducks are different.

It turns out that they are "Cairininae". Surely I get bonus points for that one? For the ungoogled, 'Cairininae' are perching ducks. I know that it just doesn't sound right, but it is. Mandarins are ducks that like to perch in trees. So, it turns out that there's nothing special to see here. Move along please.

Well, that's Aix galericulata for you.