Saturday, February 24, 2018

Saturday Critters ~ 219 ~

These are the last of my pictures from...

Lake of the Lilies

The Hooded Mergansers 
Hang out here over the winter and 
I was surprised to see one hugging the shoreline...
they usually hangout and swim in the middle of the lake,
making it difficult to photograph them.

The lighting was not good, but I was happy to see them so close.

Three males, one female.

I only saw a few girls in the lake, 
on the left here you get a good idea of how she looks with her hood up.

The Hooded Merganser is a smaller duck, by comparison.
The hood or crest on their head, which is up here, is collapsible.  
It likens a fan.

They have a small thin bill,
In flight the wings are thin and the tail is relatively long and round shaped.

These two were on the other end of the lake, 
not too far out, they were alone.
One male, one female they were very tiny.

They stayed together the entire time I was there, they looked to be youngin's!

A nice view of a female.

They are diving ducks but the entire time I was there, they kept doing this.
Coming out of the water, arching backward, their bill facing upward,
you can see that behavior in this picture.

They were so fun to watch!

Sharing today with

21 comments:

Buttons alias Grace said...

Oh these photos are awesome as usual. I love the diving ducks. I am sure this was so much fun to watch live. Hug B

Marie Smith said...

Gorgeous shots of these beautiful birds! How fortunate you were to be so close to them, Debbie! I wonder is that behaviour you show a courting ritual as they look to pair with one of those females?

Plain Jane said...

Such gorgeous birds, I always enjoy seeing your pictures.

Anvilcloud said...

They are spiffy looking ducks.

Giga said...

The eager ducks are beautiful in their colors. The last photo is great. Regards.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

wow, those are some freaky looking dudes, huh. Great shots.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Belas fotografias aproveito para desejar um excelente fim-de-semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looks to me like those boys were trying hard to impress the females.The last picture is a typical courting display.Amazing shots,Debbie.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Debbie, fantastic captures of the Hooded Marganser. They are beautiful ducks, one of my favorites too. Thanks so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Victoria said...

Great photos of the mergansers! I've never seen this type of duck before, they're just amazing-looking little creatures.

Brian King said...

These are fantastic! You were there at the right time! I've never been able to get a fraction of that close to mergansers.

Karen Lakis said...

I have never, ever, seen a duck that looks like that! They are fascinating!

Linda said...

They are spectacular!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

They are such unusual ducks! And you saw so many beautiful males together. What a great sighting! Enjoy your day!

A Colorful World said...

LOVE the name of the lake! LOVE the hooded mergansers! Great photos!

Jill said...

These have always been so interesting to me! I had no idea that the hood could collapse. That last picture just gave me the giggles!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Stunning pictures Debbie == they are wonderful ducks ... I love how you caught and documented their behavior. I've never seen so many at once and only once one was up close. That was an amazing Lake!!

Sue (this n that) said...

Wonderful photos Debbie - also very eye opening, what amazing looking ducks with exceptional names too :D) xx

Betty J. Crow said...

Beautiful shots! Lucky you to have been able to capture their antics.

Angie said...

Stunning shots! You captured the coloring so well ... I felt I was there on the shore. Those girls have quite the hairdo, but I like that of the males even better!

LeAnn said...

On these are spectacular shots. What a beautiful bird they are. I loved learning about them. I am always fascinated by the difference between the males and females. You captured such a great shot of the fluffy little head of the female. All the photos were awesome!
I love your nature shots! Blessings and hugs~