Ladies sunbathing alone on the stone fishing pier!
Males are in the background peeping on the ladies!
Pairs are swim away together!
Soon she will be left alone to raise her young!
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Welcome to the mon@rch nature blog and I hope you join us in some of our nature adventures through the Allegany State Park area!
I am a naturalist, field biologist and nature photographer from the Western New York area. I have started exploring nature writing through this blog and it truly has been fun sharing my numerous adventures with everyone. Thanks to the many other authors that help me with my post and they will be sharing some of their nature explorations.
I have always had a latent interest in birds and photography and have been lucky enough to find time to explore these interests over the last few years. I am very thankful to the Cattaraugus County Bird Club for getting me started, sharing their wealth of knowledge and for their wonderful programs. And many thanks to Tom for letting me share some of my adventures and photos on the Monarch Nature Blog.
Thank you for taking the time visiting and commenting on this blog.
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How cute!!!! The babies look just like mom right now. Adorable and another wonderful shot.
3 May 2008 at 6:47 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.
3 May 2008 at 6:58 am
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.
3 May 2008 at 8:22 am
A great story =) Strong plot, good composition!
3 May 2008 at 8:31 am
LOL Tom! I love your story and your photos! Ohhhh, look at those cute ducklings! So the males don’t hang around?
3 May 2008 at 8:33 am
I just don’t know how the males could leaves such a perfect family. Just wonderful photos, especially of those cute babies.
3 May 2008 at 9:02 am
Wonderful! That second picture – wow! Love the whole series!
3 May 2008 at 9:20 am
🙂 great story! I’m really enjoying all the photos you’ve been posting… the colours, details and compositions. Thanks.
3 May 2008 at 9:41 am
I thought you were a true romantic, until that last frame. Alas, no storybook endings for the merganser family.
Love the photos!
3 May 2008 at 9:45 am
Yes, spring is here!
3 May 2008 at 10:56 am
That was wonderful!
3 May 2008 at 11:35 am
love those pictures!
3 May 2008 at 11:52 am
LOL 😀
Fun post with great pics
3 May 2008 at 4:08 pm
@ 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
3 May 2008 at 7:38 pm
I would love to see a baby Merganser of any kind. Great sequence!
3 May 2008 at 11:18 pm
Great story-love the photos!
4 May 2008 at 8:13 am
Fun pictures Mon@rch. Do the females sometimes raise all their ducklings together as a group?
6 May 2008 at 9:27 am
I love your photo essay. I thing common merganser ducklings are beautiful.
7 May 2008 at 10:48 pm
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!
12 May 2008 at 7:00 am