3 May 2008...6:31 am

The Common Merganser Story

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Common Mergansers (females)
Ladies sunbathing alone on the stone fishing pier!

Common Merganser
Males are in the background peeping on the ladies!

Common Merganser (pair)
Pairs are swim away together!

Common Merganser
Soon she will be left alone to raise her young!


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19 Comments

  • How cute!!!! The babies look just like mom right now. Adorable and another wonderful shot.

  • Lisa at Greenbow
    3 May 2008 at 6:58 am

    I love these pictures. I think Mergansers are one of the most handsome ducks. I have seen the babies on their mothers backs. It makes such a sweet scene.

  • Very elegant adults. Our Mergansers have all left the local rivers for the north. Last summer I saw many female Mergansers on Manitoulin Island but not one single male. They aren’t family guys for sure.

  • A great story =) Strong plot, good composition!

  • LOL Tom! I love your story and your photos! Ohhhh, look at those cute ducklings! So the males don’t hang around?

  • I just don’t know how the males could leaves such a perfect family. Just wonderful photos, especially of those cute babies.

  • Wonderful! That second picture - wow! Love the whole series!

  • :) great story! I’m really enjoying all the photos you’ve been posting… the colours, details and compositions. Thanks.

  • I thought you were a true romantic, until that last frame. Alas, no storybook endings for the merganser family.

    Love the photos!

  • Yes, spring is here!

  • That was wonderful!

  • love those pictures!

  • LOL :D
    Fun post with great pics

  • @ Jayne – thanks and it is always fun trying to photograph Mergansers.
    @ Lisa – thanks and we do find them here doing that also!
    @ Ruth – Males disappear after the eggs are laid and then the males turn into their basic plumage (looking like the females)!
    @ Rondi – thanks
    @ Pam – Nope, males are gone!
    @ Linda – Not that perfect of a family, I would have to believe many of those eggs are from a different father!
    @ Bird Girl – thanks
    @ Pinar – thanks and I enjoy taking pictures!
    @ Wren – LOL, I only report the facts!
    @ Samuel – spring sure is!
    @ Jan – thanks
    @ Mel - thanks

  • NatureShutterbug
    3 May 2008 at 11:18 pm

    I would love to see a baby Merganser of any kind. Great sequence!

  • Great story-love the photos!

  • Fun pictures Mon@rch. Do the females sometimes raise all their ducklings together as a group?

  • I love your photo essay. I thing common merganser ducklings are beautiful.

  • That last shot is so touching and just perfect!!
    Cute way to describe the ‘ladies’ on the pier.
    You always have that special way to describe anything you post!

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