A pair of ruddy shelduck in the Aliki (saltmarsh) of Naxos. It seems that for another year, these beautiful birds have returned to the area to breed. The «island’s duck», as it is usually called in Greece, is found in lagoons and seasonal wetlands of Northern Greece and the major Aegean islands. The fact that it has been breeding again at such a noisy wetland -next to the airport of Naxos- is crucial as ruddy shelduck is a rather cautious and rare species. It is touching to observe their behavior as the male is particularly affectionate and protective to his mate, always beside her and always alert to perceive the danger. The photograph shows the male stretching his neck to observe us while the female seems to wait for his partner’s reaction.