To the left is a composite photo of a pair of Common Mergansers I had seen at Falls View Park earlier this week. This location is behind the Reversing Falls bridge, near the mouth of the St. John River, in Saint John. I don't think these mergansers overwinter here so it was an extra treat to have seen them on the 28th day of February. .jpg)
Common Mergansers prefer fresh water, and this is the duck species that I see most often as these fresh water, fish-eating ducks nest and raise their young along our own local river. To the right, above, is a male Common Merganser I photographed in the river last April. Following are a few of my favourite Common Merganser pictures from my photo archives. I am looking forward to collecting many more 'favourites' in the season to come. 
During the summer I always have my camera ready on daily walks along the river just in case I see a group of females and their young swim around the bend from upstream.
This photo of a pair of Common Mergansers, flying upstream, was taken at the end of March, 2007.
Very nice! I would never have known that was a composite if you hadn't said. I always like that scruffy look the head of the merganser has. I wish I saw more ducks and water fowl. We have a pair of mallards on our pond right now. That and Canad geese are usually all I see.
ReplyDeleteI used to laugh when I first would see the female Mergansers and their 'bad hair day' appearance; what a wonderful wild look about them that they have! Hopefully I will be posting lots of duck species in the spring months to come. I love the variety of species we see and next on my list might be Common Goldeneye for I have a special spot where I will start checking daily for them. I have lots of photos of them in my archives but I like to always have a current pic when I post. Mallards and Canadas are very beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteI like all your nice duck photos. The water images look so interesting - liquid and shimmering. Now that I have the digital camera, I'm never without mine either, even on short walks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! I've seen more Common Mergansers this year than I normally do. In some ways, I think the females are prettier. I just love their red, messy hair days!
ReplyDeleteSandpiper:
ReplyDeleteThe female mergansers do not go as unnoticed as perhaps females of other species might.... and I think its their 'hair' style that definitely gives them that distinctive uniqueness. Glad you enjoyed.
I love seeing these guys and had a few swimming today! I didn't get as close as you did but was fun watching them fish!
ReplyDeleteBTW: I wasn't able to find your RSS feed to subscribe to your blog! Any chance you can help me with this or turn your RSS feeds on? Email me at Tom (at) my url.com
April:
ReplyDeleteWater appearances can be so versatile in both colour and texturized-like appearances, as you said, "liquid and shimmering."
And you're so right about digital cameras - never leave home without it. Glad that you enjoyed, thank you for your comments.
Mon@rch:
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping I start seeing more of these beautiful swimmers really soon. Nice that you are seeing them also.
RSS feed? ... sorry, I don't know what that is but I will check it out and see what I can do.