A duck called Penelope

This is a flock of Eurasian Wigeon an attractive duck that goes by the charming name of Anas penelope. 


Why Penelope? Well, Penelope the wife of the hero Odysseus in Greek mythology was celebrated for her faithfulness, patience, and feminine virtue. For the 20 years that her husband was away during and after the Trojan Ward, Penelope remained true to him and helped prevent his kingdom from falling into other hands.

Penelope's parents were Prince Icarius of Sparta and the nymph Periboea. Periboea hid her infant daughter as soon as she was born, knowing that Icarius had wanted a son. As soon as Icarius discovered the baby girl, he threw her into the sea to drown. However, a family of ducks rescued her. Seeing this as an omen, Icarius named the child Penelope (after the Greek word penelops for "duck") and raised her as his favourite child.