All grown up...

At this time of the year adult ducks moult out last years feathers and tend to look rather dowdy, which is known as being in eclipse. I think this is one of this year's chicks, which is all grown up now, though hasn't yet developed its adult plumage. The evening sunshine really shows up the fine patterning of the feathers on this apparently drab duck.

Most of the day was spent finishing a report - thankfully the weather was mostly rather grey with a spell of heavy rain this afternoon - which made it much easier to concentrate on the task in hand! This duck was photographed during an early evening walk with Rosie, a treat after sitting at the computer for far too long.