Drying off

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Drying off

January 26, 2019 by Mike Powell

How would you dry off after a bath without a towel or a blow dryer? You might have to try the approach of this male Hooded Merganser duck (Lophodytes cucullatus), who rose out of the water and flapped his wings to dry off and fluff his feathers. Afterwards, the little duck spent a considerable amount of time adjusting the feathers with his bill, presumably to maximize their insulation value on a cold winter day.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, Hooded Merganser, Kingstowne, Lophodytes cucullatus, male Hooded Merganser, Tamron 150-600mm | 7 Comments

7 Responses

on January 26, 2019 at 10:19 am | Reply Dan Antion

I’m thinking I won’t try this. I’m certain I won’t let anyone near me with a camera if I do 🙂
- on January 26, 2019 at 10:29 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I might do that motion as part of an exercise program, but I definitely would be fully clothed when doing so. 🙂
on January 26, 2019 at 10:36 am | Reply kenneturner

Bring a towel!
on January 26, 2019 at 12:20 pm | Reply Eliza Waters

Nice series showing the fluidity of motion. Amazing that he can stand nearly upright out of the water to do this!
on January 27, 2019 at 9:33 pm | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

And that head that looks like fuzz, but surely is not! No gel in sight for him either. Good shots.
- on January 28, 2019 at 5:41 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Molly. 🙂
on January 28, 2019 at 7:31 am | Reply Birder's Journey

Fantastic! Love the movements of this little charmer!