It never shows up in the books or paintings but if you get the light just right on a male Pintail then the head is not completely rich chocolate brown. In strong light the area behind the eyes takes on an iridescent purplish hue. Dave McGough must have been sitting next to Alan yesterday and got some fantastic shots....
and one from Brenda too...
13-3-13
Beautiful. You can really see where the name Pintail comes from in the flight shot. My favourite duck.