Hooded Merganser Trio

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9

Two male Hooded Merganser ducks in a pond in December. Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA. The hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus is a species of small duck. Hooded mergansers are short-distance migrants, and they winter in the United States in regions where winter temperatures allow for ice-free conditions on ponds, lakes and rivers.

Thursday, 8:15 AM - During my lunch break, I had a brief moment to wander up to the main retention pond behind my office in Walton County, Georgia. A trio of Hooded Mergansers were diving in the northeast corner of the pond.  

The Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, is a small duck species found in North America. Since they typically winter on ice-free ponds, lakes and rivers, they love the mild winters of Georgia and usually show up here in the fall and winter. Beginning in November, I can expect a few to take up residence on the nearby retention pond.  

The “Hoodies” are always quite skittish and rapidly swim away or take to the air as soon as they notice my approach. So this morning I stealthily snuck around the pond, hiding myself below the high bank. I took up a nook in some bushes and waited until they came to me. 

Just then, a public works truck passed the far end of the pond, pushing the nervous mergansers my direction! I was able to grab a few photographs as they swam by. But sure enough, they were quick to hear my shutter clicks and spot me. The female was the first to notice. With breeding season not too far away, I suppose the two males were too busy thinking of something else! 

Showers likely, mainly after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Moon: 83% Waxing Gibbous
Sunrise Today:7:38 am
Sunset Today: 5:49 pm
Daylight Hours: 10 hours, 11 minutes (+1m 13s)

Two male Hooded Merganser ducks in a pond in December. Walton County, Monroe, GA, USA. The hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus is a species of small duck. Hooded mergansers are short-distance migrants, and they winter in the United States in regions where winter temperatures allow for ice-free conditions on ponds, lakes and rivers.

Male Hooded Mergansers swimming in Georgia pond