This bird was one of a pair, one female and one male, hatched with a brood of 8 of normal coloration in a large group of birds that breed in the area. It was a treat to watch these two mature. This bird is now 4 years old and reappears each year, while the female disappeared after 2 years. This is the same Mallard picture earlier on this page.

Here the bird is seen in August showing no markings other than a slight honey wash over its light feathers. At this time the bird was hanging out with a large group of molting Mallards. See next image.