Hooded Merganser ducks (Lophodytes cucullatus), often referred to as “hoodies,” are small, colorful, and very skittish. Most of the time they spot me long before I am close enough to get a shot and either take to the air immediately or swim rapidly away from me. I was really happy to spot a Hooded Merganser couple on Thursday in a suburban pond near where I live.
The little ducks mostly stayed in the deep water, out of range, but the wind was blowing and occasionally they drifted a bit closer to shore. I circled the pond three times and finally was able to capture this shot during one such drift. Alas, I was not able to capture a similarly detailed shot of the female, but I am hoping that this pond will be their winter home and that I will have more chances later this season.
Now that I have retired, “hoodies” have also become one of my favorite items of clothing. My less than full head of hair means that I get cold easily. I love to slip on the hood of a hooded sweatshirt for an additional bit of warmth, sometimes even when I am indoors.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful lone duck
Exquisite creature! I hope you get a shot of the female too, I would love to see it. And, I agree with you about hoodies 🙂
Nice Mike! Always enjoy seeing your images! I am also wearing a “hoodie” for the same reason! Plus I am now fully retired and closed my Photography Corporation this week. Have more time for personal photo projects!
Your efforts paid off with some excellent detail on this beauty, Mike. Their color scheme is quite nice.
It is unusual for me to get such detail with this species. I love the look and shape of the Hooded Mergansers, which is so different from most of the ducks that I see.
Thanks for this one. I depend on you for closeups of one of my favorite ducks! (I enjoy the one from several years ago every time I open my laptop.)
I am glad that you like the Hooded Merganser–I will work extra hard to get a similarly close-up shot of the female.
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