Hooded Merganser & Red Tail Hawk

[tamrock]

This little male Hooded Merganser looked like he was sleeping with his head tucked into his back on the shore by the lake, but woke up as I got closer. There were some Mallards very close to this Merganser and compared to them these birds are only about 2/3 the size of a Mallard. The Red Tail Hawk was out in the field behind me and I think it was scoping out the Redwing Blackbirds all gathered on the cattails. I've watched the Coppers Hawks terrorize the Redwings before, so they might be easy to catch, while they're building their nests?. I thought I had a speck on my screen by it's eye, but it's in the photo. Not sure if it's on the hawks eye or something goofy with a pixel in the image?

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Nice shots, both! I've never seen a merganser's feet I don't think, They're always swimming. As for that curious light spot, I think the sun just caught the edge of it's eye, and refracted that bright spot. Unusual.

 

[tamrock]

He didn't move real fast to the water, but just waddled slowly in. I've not seen their feet before either, as they're always in the water when I see them here. Probably not very strong on their feet, as they spent most their time in the water or flying to other body's of water. I've read hummingbird's have weak legs, due to them always flying and I've never seen one of them standing on the ground. I've seen them perch, but they don't do it for very long, before they're back up humming around in the air.

 

[WannaDig3687]

Cool photos.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Thank you for sharing!