As I was out shooting today, I was happy to encounter Hooded Merganser ducks (Lophodytes cucullatus) a couple of times, They are the coolest-looking ducks in my opinion (although Wood Ducks are in the running too). It’s a real challenge to get good shots of them, because they are small, fast, and skittish. I would love to find myself in a position like Phil Lanoue, a fellow blogger and incredible photographer, who recently photographed a Hooded Merganser duck coming in for a landing next to him (check out his blog posting).
I’m still going through my photos, but this one jumped out at me. It shows two duck couples swimming in formation. What is unusual is that one of the pairs appears to me a male Mallard and a female Merganser. Oh, I know that some of you are thinking that such a relationship could never work, but true love always finds a way.
I can only imagine what their children will look like.
Mixed couple (click for higher resolution view)
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
great capture of the male Hooded Merganser. I find them to be extremely shy, while the females are more bold.
I was pretty far away and they still started moving as I got even a little closer. I may have a few more shots to share of the male. Stay tuned.
yesterday a pair of them few into the local lake at the marsh end. I got good photos of the female, but the male went right into the protected area and I never saw him again..
Jerry over at his quiet solo pursuits blog is telling a heart warming story about Molly the Mallard and Lonesome George-a Canada goose with an injured wing. Talk about a strange pair! http://quietsolopursuits.wordpress.com/