Mama Merganser and babies

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Mama Merganser and babies

May 28, 2015 by Mike Powell

Shortly after sunrise at Huntley Meadows Park on Tuesday, a mother Hooded Merganser duck (Lophodytes cucullatus) checked on her seven babies and got them ready to start the day. I don’t know if the little family spent the night on the log, but it was probably a good idea to get moving before the numerous snapping turtles woke up. Most of the babies seem to be paying attention to the Mama in the first shot, though the one on the end seems to be daydreaming or is distracted.

A short while later the family dropped into the water and started to swim away. This second shot is my favorite one from an artistic perspective. I just love the interplay of the light and the shadows.

As the Merganser family continued to swim, it got tougher and tougher to track them amid all of the vegetation growing in the pond. Only occasionally would I get an unobstructed glimpse of them. I managed to get most of the family in this shot. One of the ducklings was a bit ahead of the group, perhaps the adventurous one on the end of the log in the first shot.

When they reached a spot that Mama Merganser considered to be safe, all of the babies began to stick their heads under the water. I don’t know if they were bathing or playing or if this was a lesson in fishing. Whatever the case, the mother duck remained vigilant.

It’s at moments like this that I regret that the father Merganser does not stay around to help in raising the ducklings. It would sure ease the burden on the Mama and would enhance the chances for survival for the cute little babies.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, spring, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, Hooded Merganser, Hooded Merganser duck, Hooded Merganser ducklings, Huntley Meadows Park, Lophodytes cucullatus, Tamron 150-600mm telephoto | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on May 28, 2015 at 7:17 am | Reply Victor Rakmil

Wonderful
on May 28, 2015 at 7:23 am | Reply mvschulze

Mike: A great way to start off morning, not only for the Merganser family, but you and I as privileged observers. Thanks! 🙂
- on May 28, 2015 at 7:29 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I do in fact often feel like a privileged observer. The fact that I am able to get some photos is a bonus.
on May 28, 2015 at 8:28 am | Reply circadianreflections

What a treat! Great captures, and narrative too Mike!
on May 28, 2015 at 1:12 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

Your photo series is so special and so touching…Love the images.
on May 28, 2015 at 6:22 pm | Reply svtakeiteasy

Great series Mike. They certainly stay close together! I love the last image with them upending and the one at the front with the big air bubble!
- on May 29, 2015 at 4:10 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris. These ducks are small as adults and seem tiny as babies. I’m glad to see them sticking close together (and close to Mom), which will certainly increase their chances for survival. I’m glad to see you like the last shot–I thought of not including it in the posting, because the heads of the babies are not visible, but I found the image to be irresistible.
  - on May 29, 2015 at 4:33 am svtakeiteasy
    
    It tells a good story so I’m glad you did!
on May 29, 2015 at 5:35 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I like the idea of a daydreaming duck. Probably because I was a daydreamer too.