Crest
Hooded mergansers are almost too beautiful for words, particularly the males. These shy ducks have a crest that can be raised (as seen here), lowered like normal, or even flattened back against their heads when they get ready to dive.
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Crest
Hooded mergansers are almost too beautiful for words, particularly the males. These shy ducks have a crest that can be raised (as seen here), lowered like normal, or even flattened back against their heads when they get ready to dive.
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Mirror
Hoodies are stunningly beautiful creatures, especially the males. They're one of those birds that I get to see more often than I get to photograph. A handful of them winter on a creek near where I work, although they often hang out on other sections than where I walk. It's not the most photogenic location, so I don't photograph them there, but I always love seeing them.
This picture of a merganser pair was taken on a quiet backwater channel at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield, Washington. |
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Environmental
The tide was high on this peaceful morning at Huntington Beach State Park. I had walked out onto the raised walkway above the salt marsh and was struck by the beauty of the reeds and their reflections in the water, when I noticed a male hooded merganser and several females swimming in the distance.
I hoped in vain that the male would turn his head just a little, but it still ranks as one of my favorite environmental portraits to date. |