Three days ago, Hooded Mergansers were still in abundance at Vogt Pool South, a freshwater pool at the Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. They swam and dove looking for food, ignoring the very strong wind that at times pushed my camera and its long lens sideways. I had to take most of the following shots from well inside the car.
A pair of Hooded Mergansers swimming together.
Waterfowl Kabuki: The lonely Hooded Merganser on the right protested his isolation.
Meanwhile, the wind caused another bad hair day for these ducks, again.
Hooded Mergansers with wind teasing their crests.
Bad hair: it got worse.
It got so bad that one female Hooded Merganser had to hide her head in the water.
neihtn 
Love those hairdos! That’s exactly what happened to me on Saturday, and my hair is much longer 🙂
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Ha, ha! If only someone could have taken a few photos of you then…
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I love these birds…and was lucky enough to see some in real life this year!
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They are some of the most handsome ducks! Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
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I am laughing with glee with the lady’s hairlook and their antics.Wonderful photos of these beautiful birds and lovely rippled blue waters!The wind played an important role in your lovely pictorial story 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed these photos, Doda! I used to not go out and shoot when it was too windy, but now I know it can sometimes lead to interesting scenes. 🙂
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Indeed interesting and charming as well,Hien 🙂
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I love all their “bad hair” 🙂
Apologies for my lack of comments on your beautiful photos. It’s been a hectic time. But I’ve been enjoying your work as always. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season 🙂
Warm wishes,
Takami
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Takami, I am glad you enjoy the photos on this blog, and I truly appreciate your comments, whenever you have enough time to write them.Warmest holiday wishes to you also!
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Fabulous captures! 🙂
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Thank you Amy!
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Yes fantastic, where we are they are almost always just the limit of my lens and camera. Wonderful shots.
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Thanks Victor! These ducks are difficult to approach. I tried to park behind some tall weeds or reeds so that they would not notice me. If I were to get out of the car, they would swim away out of range.
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Fantastic merganser photos Hien!!! 🙂
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Thank you Andy!
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You’re welcome Hien.
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