Do dabbling ducks double date? It sure looked like that was the case earlier this week when I spotted a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) couple and a Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) couple swimming away from a larger group of mostly mallards for a few quiet moments together. I grew up in a family with eight siblings, so I can really understand their pursuit of peace and privacy.
It’s almost springtime and many of the birds are searching for mates. Usually it’s the males that put on elaborate displayes, but I think the female “Hoodie” here was the one that went all out to impress her date with an elaborate hairstyle.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The difference in size shows well in this photo. She does have crazy hair!
I love it when I can get multiple species in a single shot, especially when they seem to be interacting. The image really helps me appreciate how small the Hooded Mergansers are, given than I never see them as up close as I see the Mallards.
We rarely see the mergansers. If I’m lucky, I’ll see a dozen in a season. They’re so pretty — and she made me laugh. Crazy hair, for sure.
Crazy punk hairdo! Nice capture, Mike.
Gary Larson would come up with funny Far Side cartoon from this.