Keep Moving

As much as I enjoy seeing and photographing hooded mergansers, especially males, there comes a time each year when they need to be gone.

This fellow was swimming in a very small area of ice free water, surrounded by hundreds of acres of ice that is several inches thick. Although there may be ample food right now for the merganser, I would be surprised if the tiny area could provide enough food and habitat to get through the winter. Really, I would be surprised if the open water would remain open much longer.

Knowing the challenges this male hooded merganser faces, I am hopeful he moves to a better climate soon. And even though I did not see a female, if there is one hiding somewhere I hope she goes with him.