Hooded Mergansers are handsome ducks, easy to identify, especially the males with their black and white crests. They were in abundance in every pond at the Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge this past weekend.
Hooded Mergansers, male and female
Hooded Mergansers, three males and one female
In courtship, the male expands his crest while making deep, low sounds to attract the female.
neihtn 
Gorgeous photos of this fabulous bird with the very charecteristic plumage! The white patches make it so very special! They look so beautiful on the reflective blue waters ! You are definitely blessed in photographic ability my friend 🙂
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Thanks Doda! The photos owe 90% to the birds, 10% to my ability. 🙂
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Beautiful birds! I’ve only seen them once here swimming in the ocean.
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Thanks Tiny. They should be living year around in your area. They nest in trees, so look for them near ponds and rivers with trees on the banks.
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I will!
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They are beautiful.
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Thank you Pat!
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It is quite a feast that you capture beautiful images of these handsome birds in this weather. It is so cold that I believe my ears could have fallen off if they were exposed.
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It is cold, but after you have been outside for 15 minutes it’s not that bad. Then if you keep walking it gets very warm soon. Thank you for commenting!
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The male Hooded Mergansers are so good looking! 🙂
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The males are usually quite handsome! 🙂
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LOVE ’em ! – love their mad little hats, too. 🙂
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Thanks M-R!
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