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Monday, April 11, 2011

Hooded Mergansers

On the South Fork of the Teton River west of Rexburg in the Hibbard Community two pair of Hooded Mergansers are working hard a finding a place to nest.  Large mature cottonwood trees line the bank of the twisting and turning river, making an ideal place for the Hoodies to set up housekeeping.  Search as hard as I can, I have not found where they have had or will have their nests.


  
Just east of St. Anthony a few miles northeast of Hibbard, they have successfully raise young before but on private ground in nests build for wood ducks.  I continue to see more each year in these areas.  Eventually I will find one of their nests.

The male is very beautiful with the female almost a dark brown to a gray.  Here crest never gets wet when she dives.  Here she dives while he stands watch over her.


Many times he will watch while she dives.

If another merganser comes close to them as they are feeding, he will hiss and chase them off .  See that story on my http://wildinidaho.blogspot.com/  blog.


But at other times he is the perfect gentleman escorting here around his area, making sure she get enough to eat.  That is until she starts nesting.  Then he is off with the other men-folks, sheding his coat of many colors, drinking, eating and doing what most men do when their are off with the fellas - fishing.

22 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

oh, he seemed perfect until the drinking, carousing and hanging out with the guys... same old story, different chapter... :)

Indrani said...

Great nature story. Lovely series of shots.

joo said...

They are terrific! Love this post:)

holdingmoments said...

That male is one handsome fellow.

theconstantwalker said...

A beautiful bird to see. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Love these birds -- can't see them too often ;>)

Sondra said...

I love the hoodies!! You got some very sharp and beautiful shots--I hope you find that nest!

Springman said...

Excellent study. I hope you find those nesting sites I'd love to see them! ;-)WBW

eileeninmd said...

Awesome shots of the Hoodies, Bill!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos, Bill! I hope we get to see ducklings!

Becky said...

Excellant shots! These hoddies can be challanging to photograph.
B.

mick said...

Nice photos of the Hooded Mergansers and very interesting description of the interaction between the birds.

Amila Kanchana said...

Lovely creatures! Thanks for sharing,Bill!

joco said...

Hiya Bill,
What a lovely write-up of this episode of their lives in the stormy water. That picture of him hissing is so funny.
Still, I can't get enough of the eagle in a flying dive across the top of your page.
2jo.co

Carletta said...

Wonderful set of images!
I'm with Texwisgirl - funny comment.
Hope you find a nest and we get to see baby ones in the weeks ahead.

Thanks for your visit Bill.

Fotokarusellen said...

Thanks for comments. A beautiful set of images. Well done!

Unknown said...

Not only the bird is beautiful but also the series is fantastic! Great shots.

Mike B. @ slugyard.com said...

Great shots of a gorgeous bird. I saw them in the river here and was awestruck.

Unknown said...

They are fascinating fellows! I love the looks of them :D
Lovely 'action' shots :)!

NatureFootstep said...

a beautiful bird I´d like to see. :)

Dawn Fine said...

Great shots...hee hee..all fellas like fishing dont they? :)