Met this beautiful duck yesterday just before going for an early evening dip in Årstaviken here in Stockholm. A woman who was also taking photos told me it was a Mandarin duck. I humorously asked if it was because this kind of duck spoke Mandarin or ate mandarins. Not fully appreciating my question, she explained that these ducks are known for their strikingly colorful plumage, especially in males, which display vibrant hues of orange, blue, green, and white. The woman then went into full lecture mode and elaborated: Mandarin ducks are omnivores, native to East Asia, and are very popular in Chinese culture, symbolizing love and fidelity, as they are believed to mate for life. Didn’t say this, but to myself, I thought, yeah, unless they end up in a baking hot rotisserie.