The Winter Mallard

This poor chap would have been much better off with claws rather than paddles on this frozen lake?
The flock had taken shelter on a relatively unfrozen stretch of water,hoping to find food.But even there they had to contend with the hazard of floating ice.

Nikon D3 + Nikon 70-300 VR,1/100 @ F8 ISO 900 @300mm in D X mode = 450mm