The mallard is one of the most recognized of all ducks and is the ancestor of several domestic breeds. Its wide range has given rise to several distinct populations. The male mallard’s white neck-ring separates the green head from the chestnut-brown chest, contrasts with the gray sides, brownish back, black rump and black upper- and under-tail coverts. The speculum is violet-blue bordered by black and white, and the outer tail feathers are white. The bill is yellow to yellowish-green and the legs and feet are coral-red. Male utters a soft, rasping “kreep.” The female mallard is a mottled brownish color and has a violet speculum bordered by black and white. The crown of the head is dark brown with a dark brown stripe running through the eye. The remainder of the head is lighter brown than the upper body. The bill is orange splotched with brown, and the legs and feet are orange. Female is especially vocal with the characteristic series of quacks. Source: Ducks Unlimited

Mallard Couple. Photo credit: Randy Neufeldt

Orchids teach us many things, but the most important are the two Ps: patience and perseverance. It takes patience to wait the 18 years it takes to produce some of those wonderful flowers from seed. There are 30,000 species produced by nature and hundreds of thousands of hybrids added by man. Orchids can be the purest white or almost solid black (as seen below). Brilliant sky-blue is a rare colour for flowers, but it is found in some terrestrial species and Vandas. Every hue of the rainbow is represented by an orchid flower. It’s no mystery why artists and photographers are fascinated by the intricate details and ethereal colours of orchids.

Source: Canadian Living

White Orchids. Photo credit: Randy Neufeldt

Pugs are clowns at heart, but they carry themselves with dignity. Pugs are playful dogs, ready and able for games, but they are also lovers, and must be close to their humans. Pugs love to be the center of attention, and are heartsick if ignored. Source: Dogtime

The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart,
the less capable you are of loving in the present.
~ Barbara De Angelis

To be angry is to revenge the fault of others upon ourselves.
~ Alexander Pope

Pugs made their way to the Western world in the 16th century, when they were imported from China primarily by Portuguese and Dutch traders. Later, when King William III and Queen Mary II took the English throne in 1689, they brought Pugs with them to English shores. Source: Vetstreet

One must always welcome one’s problems.
Because problems gives us dual advice.
Firstly, one can know how to solve them.
Secondly, one learn how to avoid them in the future.
And always have faith in God.

~SantaBanta

Love is just a word. Your actions give it meaning.
There’s a Moon which livens up your nights.
There’s a Sun which brightens your day.
There are stars which shine for you.
And here it’s me who lives for you.

~Santabanta

A fulfilled life is not possible without friends. Thanks for making my life wholesome. You are the reason for my sleepless nights. You’re the reason why I tend to hold my pillow tight. It’s you that I’m thinking of when I lay down at night. And you’re the reason I can’t sleep without saying you Good Night. ~SantaBanta

Birds have feathers, wings, lay eggs and are warm blooded.
Some bird species are intelligent enough to create and use tools.
Around 20% of bird species migrate long distances every year.

Source: ScienceKids