Less can be more...

For one reason and another I don't think I visited Richmond Park at all in 2024, so as the sun was shining I decided to put that right today.

Large numbers of people and some serious and noisy engineering work between the Pen Ponds meant that wildlife seemed a bit scarce, but it was still a joy to get out into the fresh air.

The mandarin duck population in the Isabella Plantation are always good for a few snaps. It struck me that this female is actually stunningly beautiful in an understated way without having to put on the clown clothes and full makeup of the male - there may be a lesson in there for all of us.

You can see a few more shots, including one of those gaudy males, by going to -

https://www.flickr.com/photos/198968208@N02/albums/72177720322938848