Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Red-breasted Mergansers on the Meadow Grounds Lake

 
While the red-breasted mergansers were busy feeding on fish exposed by the reduced water lever in the Meadow Grounds Lake, they were also finding time for courtship.


 
While the red-breasted mergansers I normally encounter here are not overly wary of humans and will allow me to approach quite closely before flushing.
 



However even when flushed the RB mergansers will fly only a short distance before settling back on the water.  



A lone female RB merganser takes a break from fishing, resting on a recently exposed stump.
 
The Meadow Grounds Lake was first filled in 1964.  The stump, which still appears to be in very good condition, has been submerged for nearly 50 years. 

6 comments:

Montanagirl said...

Beautiful photos! But I still get sad thinking about that lake being drained.

Lindsjö taxar said...

Great action Pictures. The lake is wonderful

Ruth Hiebert said...

Amazing pictures. The female on the stump is a gorgeous shot.

Elaine said...

Wonderful series of action shots, and that last shot of the female on the stump is fantastic! Too bad the stump is available for her to perch on though.

Arija said...

Absolutely beautiful! Love the running take-off.

Unknown said...

A lot of us and animals will miss the lake. :'(