Hooded Merganser drake swimming by, Salt Lake County, UtahHooded Merganser drake swimming by – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

In December I had eight minutes and twenty-four seconds to photograph this Hooded Merganser drake and every time I have gone to the local pond after that I have looked for him to be there again. Each time I have gone to the pond to look for birds to photograph this drake Hoodie has been missing. For rare birds that are only seen on one day birders and bird photographers call them a “one day wonder” but since this Hooded Merganser isn’t rare here I will just call the drake a “one day opportunity” and take comfort in knowing I did the best with the time I had with him.

Last January there was a pair of Hooded Mergansers that were at one of the other local ponds so I keep having hope that this spiffy male, a mated pair or even more of these small diving ducks will show up nearby again before winter is over and done with.

When I lived in rural Virginia not far from the Chesapeake Bay there was a small mill pond that often had Hooded Mergansers on it that wasn’t very far from my home. Back then I was a birdwatcher and bird lover simply because I didn’t have the photographic gear that would have allowed me to take photos of these handsome ducks. I had a Canon AE1 film camera but the longest lens I had was only 200mm and my first digital camera didn’t have the reach I would have needed either. So I would just admire the mergansers on the surface of that beautiful pond.

I think back on that mill pond now and wish I would have had the gear that I have today because I am certain I could have gotten some spectacular photos of this species. It has been nineteen years now since I lived in Virginia and I can still see those Hooded Mergansers in my memories.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Hooded Merganser photos plus facts and information about this species.