This couple almost made me late for work yesterday morning. I had no expectation of seeing anything but the usual mallards, but a white flash caught my eye.
You can’t tell from these photos, but the water level is receding as the ground thaws. The number of ducks and geese is less each day – a week or two ago, I was seeing 100 or more a day, now 20 is a crowd. The cranes seem to be in residence, but everyone else is just passing through.

















{ 11 comments }
Mary – I’m surprised at how shy all the birds are. Just walking out on the deck can cause a stir, and it’s not that close to the water.
Larry – This pair was fun to watch. The female is so subdued, I almost didn’t see her.
Very nice shots! Hooded Mergansers are one of my favorites to watch with they’re diving and courting antics.
The males are striking! I’ve notice that the females let me near but the males make a fast getaway. Great shots, Wren!
sandpiper – frustrating, isn’t it? Mine aren’t as clear as I would have liked, but I didn’t have time to set up the tripod.
Great pictures of the Hoodies. I FINALLY had a chance to get a really close picture of a couple of them this week, but I had stupidly left my camera on “auto focus” and the sound scared them off!
mon@rch – cranes are holding steady, it’s the ducks and geese that are fickle.
chrisss – welcome! we had yet more snow last night. If it were happening somewhere else, I might be able to see the humor in the situation.
Great photos. I know Michigan well…and it has sure been snowing a lot of late. You blog reminds me of home. I’ll stop by again.
Sorry to hear the numbers of cranes have gone down! But the find of Hooded Mergansers is great!
lana – it was a very nice surprise and start to the day
robin – if only my coworkers had been more impressed!
Mergansers are such pretty birds. What a fine critter to be late for work for.
Very nice.
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