Lmst

#hoodedmergansers

Echoes Beneath Them

Here’s a shot of two hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) lifting off from a pond in Albany, Georgia. It’s not my strongest capture of them, but it does offer a glimpse of flight and reflection—two elements I’ve been chasing with these birds. So far, I haven’t been fully satisfied with the results; I’ve had to photograph them from a distance, which limits the detail I’m after. We’ll return in November, and I’m curious to see how my newer camera setup handles the challenge.

Discover nature's fleeting moments through my lens—visit my photo gallery to see more.

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #ducks #HoodedMergansers

"Two hooded mergansers erupt from the surface of a rippling pond, their wings slicing through the air with precision and grace. The male, on the left, wears a bold crest like a ceremonial plume—black and white, sharply defined—his chestnut flanks glowing like polished mahogany. The female, to his right, is subtler in tone, her feathers a soft blend of gray and brown, her crest more modest, yet no less dignified.

They fly low, just inches above the water, as if reluctant to leave the realm below. Their reflections shimmer beneath them—ghostly doubles caught in the green-blue tapestry of the pond. The water itself is textured with gentle ripples, like silk stirred by breath. The ducks’ bodies are taut with motion, wings mid-beat, feet tucked, eyes forward—each bird a sovereign arrow launched from the stillness.

The image captures not just movement, but a moment of mythic transition: from water to air, from rest to flight, from reflection to resolve. It’s a portrait of wild ceremony, a duet of instinct and elegance." - Microsoft Copilot

Good morning. 🦆🦆🦆

16 April 2025

I still remember my first record player. It was green, a portable model that could be closed up and carried by its handle. I have no idea what became of it. When I joined the Marines, I relinquished all claims to my worldly possessions, and the player simply faded away. I had a few albums back then—The Young Rascals, Country Joe and the Fish, and some others I can no longer recall. Funny enough, it's possible those records are still tucked away somewhere in the back of my small garage. Now that I think about it, the green record player might not have been my first; if there was one before it, I don’t remember. Memory is such a peculiar thing—far from perfect.

“Right now, I’m having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this before.” - Steven Wright

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #HoodedMergansers #morning #memories

Flight and Afloat

This image showcases a delightful scene featuring six hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus). Three of them are flying gracefully above the water, while the remaining three are swimming, all heading from right to left. Among the group, two vibrant males display their distinctive black and white crests, offering a striking contrast to the softer brown hues of the four females. The setting exudes a sense of harmony, with their movements captured in perfect rhythm.

A Hooded Merganser couple (Harle couronné en francais) swam past me yesterday evening. Caught these pictures just before the light faded.

Captured with Nikon D850, Sigma 150-600 C at 600mm, f/6.3, 1/400s, iso 1600 and processed in #darktable.

#hoodedmergansers #harlecouronne #lophodytescucullatus #ducks #canards #birds #oiseaux #wildlife #fauneduquebec #canadianwildlife #wildlifephotography #photography

A hooded merganser couple swimming in calm, murky waters. The male duck leads, with his black and white hood on display prominently. The female, all brown, follows. The male's reflection is visible in the water.

Portrait of a male hooded merganser, seen from the side. His head and neck are black, with a bright yellow eye with black pupil. His hood is raised, a large white patch at the back of his head beginning just behind his eye. His beak is long, thin and black, with a hook at the end.

I love Common Mergansers and Red-necked Merganser's, but the male Hooded Merganser is my first fancy duck. I first saw him at this time of year pulling out all his best tricks to find himself a mate. He's just a little duck, but he struts around the pond like he's a bald eagle in a field full of slow-moving sparrows.

#pondlife #hoodedmergansers #ducks #birdphotography #outdoorvancouver #vancouverbc #photography #naturephotography

Reflection in Motion

The reflections on the water's surface create the illusion that there are twice as many ducks in this photo as there actually are. In reality, there are four hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) skimming across a Georgia pond. Perhaps in the process of becoming airborne, their wings lightly graze the water's surface as they prepare to ascend into the open sky.

Jump into the excitement—explore my photo gallery here:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #HoodedMergansers

"The image captures a stunning moment where four hooded mergansers are taking off from the surface of a calm pond. The birds are frozen mid-flight, their wings gracefully extended as their reflections shimmer on the greenish water, which mirrors the lush vegetation nearby. A signature, "© Swede's Photographs," is visible in the bottom right corner." - Copilot

😍 more visitors at the local pond

👉 Hooded Mergansers

#Jacksonville #Florida #Wildlife #AmateurPhotography #Pixelfed #StreetPhotography #Birds #Ducks #HoodedMergansers #Nature #UrbanExploration #GalaxyS23+

Two hooded mergansers playfully swimming in circles around a small pond. Very small birds. Tiny. Like miniature ducks, with very flamboyant markings and feathers. The male is brown with a black and white tuxedo design on his chest feathers and an ornate "hooded" headdress of black and white feathers atop his head. The female has a mixture of speckled brown, tan, black, and white feathers, and also an ornate headdress of feathers in the shape of a mohawk.

... will post more from the visit through an arts district tomorrow ... Today, I was only able to hit some nearby ponds and trails, rains are here for the next several days 🫤🌧⛈️🌧

👉 this raft of hooded mergansers is enjoying their visit, and staying longer than last winter 😊

#Jacksonville #Florida #Wildlife #AmateurPhotography #Pixelfed #StreetPhotography #Birds #Ducks #HoodedMergansers #UrbanExploration #GalaxyS23+

Three male, and two female hooded mergansers ducks frolic in a small pond. Very tiny ducks with fancy plumage.

🎉 they back again 🥳

#Jacksonville #Florida #Wildlife #AmateurPhotography #Pixelfed #StreetPhotography #Birds #Ducks #HoodedMergansers #UrbanExploration #GalaxyS23+

Hooded mergansers, tiny tiny ducks, with colorful and unusual plumage, frolicking in a pond. Two males, with elaborate black and white head feathers, and three females with speckled shades of tan and brown.

🫤 the holiday visitors grew tired of my antics :goose_honk:

#Jacksonville #Florida #Birds #AmateurPhotography #Pixelfed #StreetPhotography #Wildlife #UrbanExploration #Ducks #HoodedMergansers #GalaxyS23+

Hooded mergansers splashing about in the water as they are about to take flight.

more holiday visitors :goose_honk:

#Jacksonville #Florida #Birds #AmateurPhotography #Pixelfed #StreetPhotography #Wildlife #UrbanExploration #Ducks #HoodedMergansers #GalaxyS23+

Zoom of two male hooded merganser ducks swimming in the middle of a pond. Very very small ducks, with fancy head plumage in black and white.

Tie Dye Ducks

Here is another over exposed photograph, these usually happen when I forget to check and reset the camera ISO setting in the morning. This one is of hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus). I came 🤌that close to deleting the image immediately, but I kind of like the way the light caught the ripples in the water.

I don't post all of the photos that I post here to my Pixels gallery, but I post the photos I like best. Some don't make the cut. I usually wait a couple of days and see how I feel about it then.

You can check out my gallery at:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #birdwatching #birdphotography #ducks #HoodedMergansers

"This overexposed image captures a group of hooded mergansers swimming on a body of water. The excessive brightness has caused the image to lose some details, making the water appear almost white and washing out the finer features. Despite this, the distinctive shapes and markings of the hooded mergansers are still visible. The birds have characteristic crests on their heads, with some displaying the prominent white patches on the sides of their heads, which is a notable feature of this species. The image effectively conveys the movement and natural behavior of the birds in their habitat, even though the lighting conditions are challenging." - Copilot

Female Hooded Merganser with a tiny crab in its beak.
#beautifulbc #hoodedmerganser #hoodedmergansers #duck #ducks #birds #birdphotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #nature #nikonphotography #nikonz6ii

Female Hooded Merganser (type of duck). It is floating on water & has a tiny crab in its beak.

Good morning. 🦆🦆🦆

15 December 2024

I lost my pocketknife a couple of days ago and I can't figure out what happened to the knife. I don't really go out often. It is a Benchmade knife, one of those with a clip on the side. I had the knife for years, so it was building sentimental value, also Benchmade's aren't cheap. Of course, I didn't notice the loss until I reached for it to do something and nothing was there, just my pocket. Hmmm ... I started to say air just to make it rhyme. Anyway, I already ordered a replacement. Benchmade's have a lifetime guarantee, but that doesn't help if you lose the darn thing. Now I might come across it - c'est la vie.

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” - Robert Frost

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #life #ducks #HoodedMergansers #benchmade

"The image showcases six hooded mergansers swimming gracefully on a calm pond. You can see the distinct black and white crests that make these birds so identifiable. The water is serene, only slightly disturbed by the ripples the birds create as they move.

In the background, the greenery reflects on the pond, giving the water a greenish hue. The birds are spread out, three in the foreground and three in the background, all moving in in the same direction. It's a peaceful scene, capturing the beauty of these unique ducks. The image is signed "© Swede's Photographs" in the bottom right corner.

Splashy Departure

This is a pair of hooded mergansers ((Lophodytes cucullatus) at a secluded pond in Albay, Georgia. It looks as if they are taking off, but they were just moving to the other end of the pond. I think that I may have been the reason for their sudden movement.

"The hooded merganser is a diving predator that largely hunts by sight while under water. Most studies report that its diet varies according to circumstances, usually being dominated by fish (44 to 81%). In addition, it feeds on aquatic insects (13 to 20% of its diet) and other aquatic invertebrates such as crabs and crayfish (22 to 50%)." - wikipedia.org

I don't post all of the photos that I post here to my Pixels gallery, but I post the photos I like best. You can check out my gallery at:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #birdwatching #birdphotography #HoodedMergansers

"image shows a pair of hooded mergansers taking off from the surface of a pond. The male hooded merganser, identifiable by its striking black and white plumage and distinctive crest, is in the background, while the female, with more subdued brown and gray coloring, is in the foreground. Both birds are in mid-flight, with their wings extended and their feet just above the water, creating splashes and ripples on the pond's surface. The water is calm, reflecting the birds and their movement. The image captures the dynamic motion and grace of these waterfowl as they take off, making it an interesting and visually appealing photograph." - Copilot

Good morning. 🦆🦆🦆

1 December 2024

We're back at home and step one of the holiday season is completed, two or three or four more steps to go. I include taxes and insurance into the holidays because they coincide. I need to check on property taxes. Do you know I pay taxes for road maintenance, and I live on a gravel road. I pay school taxes, and I don't have any children who are still in school. There are also other taxes wrapped into property taxes that don't particularly do anything to help me. But I don't mind because those taxes as most taxes are for the greater good of our society. It is part of pitching in.

Oh goodness the temperature dropped below freezing this morning.

“In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #birdwatching #birdphotography #morning #ducks #taxes #HoodedMergansers

"The image shows a group of six ducks swimming on a body of water. The water has a calm surface with gentle ripples. The ducks are aligned in a loose formation, and the scene is framed by out-of-focus foliage in the foreground, adding a sense of depth to the image. The photograph appears to be taken in a natural setting, possibly a lake or pond, and captures a serene moment in nature. The presence of the ducks and the tranquil water make the image interesting and relevant for those who appreciate wildlife and peaceful outdoor scenes." - Copilot

Water Dance

These hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) were taking off from water on a secluded pond in Albany, Georgia. They noticed me above on the edge of the depression photographing, and I wasn't very close to them. No worries, they didn't leave the pond but instead just flew low to the end of the pond where I couldn't see them.

I've had several inquiries about how to get a print of some my photographs. This is a hobby for me, so I haven't been equipped to handle those requests. But I enjoy what I'm doing and want to share my photographs.

So, I set up an account and website with pixels. My website is:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #HoodedMergansers

"The image shows a group of hooded mergansers taking off from the water. The birds are captured in mid-motion, with their wings spread and water splashing around them as they lift off. The reflection of the birds and the surrounding environment is visible on the calm water surface, adding a serene and dynamic element to the scene. This image is interesting because it captures the beauty and grace of these birds in their natural habitat, highlighting the moment of takeoff which is often difficult to photograph." - Copilot

Water and Wings

Here are some of the hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) that I saw yesterday. It is not the greatest of photographs, but I like the idea that three were flying and three were swimming. Last year when I was here, I attempted to get closer by climbing down to the water's edge, but all the water birds flew away. This year they even notice me walking along the top of the depression. The birds here are pretty skittish and prefer not to have humans around.

You can check out my gallery at:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #HoodedMergansers

"The image shows a group of hooded mergansers, a type of duck, in and above a body of water. There are three hooded mergansers swimming in the water and three flying above the water. The water has a greenish hue, and the birds are captured in various stages of flight and swimming. The hooded mergansers are notable for their distinctive crests and striking plumage, with the males having bold black and white patterns and the females having more subdued brownish tones. This image is interesting because it captures the dynamic movement of the birds both in flight and on the water, showcasing their natural behavior and the beauty of their plumage." - Copilot

Ducks at Dawn

These are part of a flock of hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) that I saw on a small hidden pond in Albany, Georgia.

"“Hooded” is something of an understatement for this extravagantly crested little duck. Adult males are a sight to behold, with sharp black-and-white patterns set off by chestnut flanks. Females get their own distinctive elegance from their cinnamon crest. Hooded Mergansers are fairly common on small ponds and rivers, where they dive for fish, crayfish, and other food, seizing it in their thin, serrated bills. They nest in tree cavities; the ducklings depart with a bold leap to the forest floor when only one day old." - allaboutbirds.org

Visit my gallery, I generally add new content every couple of days or so. The URL is below:

https://swede1952-photographs.pixels.com

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #wildlife #nature #bird #birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #birdwatching #birdphotograph #HoodedMergansers

"The serene scene captures a group of ducks swimming on tranquil waters. Sunlight dances across the surface, creating colorful reflections. The ducks glide gracefully, their feathers ruffling the water. It’s a peaceful morning, and the ducks seem to enjoy their aquatic haven." - Copilot

Four #HoodedMergansers lined up on a lake.

#mergansers #birds #birdwatching #birdphotography #NorthDakota

Merganser Parade

I saw these hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) swimming in a small pond, at Albany, Georgia. I was thinking about the saying get your ducks in a row. It's just that when we see them lined up, they are usually in a column.

"Hooded Mergansers find their prey underwater by sight. They can actually change the refractive properties of their eyes to improve their underwater vision. In addition, they have an extra eyelid, called a “nictitating membrane,” which is transparent and helps protect the eye during swimming, like a pair of goggles." - allaboutbirds.org

#photo #photography #photographer #photographylovers #birds #birdsofmastodon #birdwatching #HoodedMerganser #HoodedMergansers

#hoodedmergansers

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