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This painting was ranked 15th in the 2005 Federal Duck Stamp Competition.
The spirit of a Ruddy Duck makes up for his compact size, and during courtship
that spirit is well evident- the male?s bill flushes an impossible blue shade, little
feathers stand up on his head like horns (hence the nickname) and he paddles
around the female slapping his chest and bubbling the water to a froth with his feathers.
As so often with the female of the species, though she cranes her neck she often
feigns disinterest... |