Saturday, April 17, 2010

Camera Critters: Red-breasted Mergansers

Red-breasted Mergansers visit the local lake each spring around the time of the perch spawn. I really cannot say unequivocally that they are feeding on perch spawn but all indications point that they are.

I find the mergansers spending much of their time in water where the spawn is visible. Much of their time is spent swimming with their eyes underwater and frequently diving.

In this photograph a pair of hens scans the bottom while the male keeps an eye on my nearby boat.


As I slowly drew even nearer the male gave me his undivided attention


Breaching their comfort zone the mergansers took flight, relocating to a different part of the lake and continued their feeding.

This spring has provided me with some outstanding waterfowl photography and one disappointment; the disappointment being the absence of the Buffleheads. In previous years I had grown accustomed to encountering flocks of buffleheads frequently during the same time period as the red-breasted mergansers but this year I have observed only one lone bufflehead hen. I have no explanation for the absence of the buffleheads but I do hope in coming years to see the colorful little divers return.




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Visit our friend Misty’s
Camera Critters Blog

8 comments:

Michael said...

Cool pics - the take-off one is a nice capture.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Excellent shots.I saw a pair of these today,but unfortunately no good pictures.
Blessings,Ruth

Kristin said...

Hi coy,

Those are very lovely shots indeed. Beautifully captured of the country. The pictures are so alive and sharp. Love the last photo especially, when the birds took off. Great angle.

Janet said...

Great shots! They look rather hungry!

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Great shots. Crisp and clear. Thanks for sharing. Valerie

Montanagirl said...

Nice shots! Have never seen a Merganser.

Misty DawnS said...

I just LOVE those red eyes! They are SO cool!

Kerri Farley said...

Excellent!