Winter Mallard on a Michigan Frozen Lake

A photorealistic, high-resolution scene of a female mallard duck standing on a perfectly frozen lake during a crisp Michigan winter. The duck has mottled brown plumage, a pale orange bill, and orange legs, with a subtle white throat and eye ring. The lake surface glistens with glassy ice, delicate frost patterns, and faint cracks, reflecting pale winter light. Snow patches cling to the ice near the shore. In the background, snow-dusted evergreen pines and bare deciduous trees line the shore under a pale blue, overcast sky. Cold breath wisps rise from the duck's beak, and a gentle breeze ruffles its feathers. The color palette emphasizes cool blues and whites with warm brown tones from the duck. The scene conveys quiet solitude and the stillness of a Michigan winter morning, shot at eye level with the duck occupying the foreground and the snowy woods softly blurred in the distance.