The female mallard...

[Mataura mayfly]

Some mediocre photos of some of the feathers of interest from Mallard hen for tying purposes.

Flank.



Clump of neck Feathers.



Breast Feather.



Lower back of neck/shoulder.



Lower back feathers.



These feathers are off the head of the duck, small and fine- I have never really used them, but they may have some use in wee small soft hackle patterns.

[letumgo]

Nicely done, Jeff. I look forward to playing with the ones you sent for the Roscoe gathering. Lovely feathers.

[Kelly L.]

Those feathers look very useful to me!

[hankaye]

Mataura mayfly, Howdy;

Nice the way several different patterns in the feathers
can be culled from the same bird...

hank

[Mataura mayfly]

Hank, too true, but still the same kind of mottled shades of brown show in most. The background of choice was perhaps not the best for showing true colouration, but the hen is a lot more subdued than the feather variation of the Drake.
I could have taken it a step or two further and included the wing coverts and such. Perhaps I should tie a fly with each type and put photos of them up, but the only true way to gain a feeling for these feathers is to hold them in hand.

[redietz]

still the same kind of mottled shades of brown show in most.

Fortunately, mottled shades of brown show up quite frequently mayfly nymphs.

[zen leecher]

I see a variety of ducks getting skinned out this next season.

[Mataura mayfly]

I see a variety of ducks getting skinned out this next season.

By all means, if you can get them as whole birds, skin them out and preserve the skin intact so you can select the individual feather of your needs far easier than searching through a bag of loose feathers.
The only thing you may have to watch is that ducks tend to be very fatty and carry that fat just under the skin, so normal amounts of borax do not really cut the mustard. Best I can suggest is a very thorough scrape down of the fresh skin and perhaps a spirit wipe down before the application of borax.
I pluck and keep bags of feathers.

[zen leecher]

The ducks will be flying just before I acquire them between the months of October through January.

[William Anderson]

Some mediocre photos of some of the feathers of interest from Mallard hen for tying purposes.

Flank.



Clump of neck Feathers.



Breast Feather.



Lower back of neck/shoulder.



Lower back feathers.



These feathers are off the head of the duck, small and fine- I have never really used them, but they may have some use in wee small soft hackle patterns.

Jeff, there is a lot to be said in the way of "thank you's" for your sharing, sending materials and posts like these. Thanks so much - the first of several attempts to show my gratitude.

w