As I was exploring a small pond last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I spotted a male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris). Other than a few mallards at the other end of the pond, the Ring-necked Duck was all alone at the pond. I captured this image as the Ring-necked Duck swam up to a weathered mallard decoy and appeared to be trying to interact with it.
After a few moments without response from the mallard, the Ring-necked Duck slowly swam away, looking elsewhere for companionship. Perhaps he will have more luck with the turtles that were sunning themselves on the shore of the pond.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
What a delightful — and amusing — photo. There’s a reason decoys work!
Been there. Done that.
When I first started birding seriously, I was on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and got my first photograph of a Great Horned Owl! Yep. A nicely carved decoy on a boat dock.
Mr. Ring-necked Duck, I feel your pain.
Thanks for bringing up a memory, Mike!
😆