Mallard feathers

This mallard seemed to be missing her iridescent wing patch, so I managed to shoot a closeup of the area. It looks like, yes, those special feathers are indeed missing, likely from a molt… but they’re growing back! The bluish sheaths are made of keratin, and protect the new feathers as they grow. Neat!

   11 September 2022
   Mallard Duck
   ILCE-7M3
   1/500s    f/5.6   400mm   ISO 500
Mallard feathers