Today’s cold rain trapped me between overdue errands and a warm afternoon in bed with a book. After procrastinating most of the morning, I decided to hurry through my errands, which might get me home in time to spend a few hours with my book.
I didn’t intend to stop anywhere for photos, but packed my camera by mistake as I rushed to leave the house. A few hours later, when it became clear that my errand list was too long and the day too short, I decided to slow down and take advantage of my mistake. If I couldn’t get to my book, I could at least take a few photos.
As I splashed toward these cormorants, wishing for a thicker coat and waterproof shoes, a group of smallish ducks emerged from a hidden spot near the bank.
They were a new species for me, and I could hardly wait to get home and look them up. (Are they Hooded Mergansers?)
I’m adding this pond to my list of places to revisit, should we ever get another sunny day…
Rae Spencer 
Absolutely Hooded mergansers! The male is quite dapper, isn’t he? We sometimes have one or two that hang around here during the winter, but most of them leave. Our Canada Geese are all gone, too – except for one or two at Mud Lake.
Your geese have all come here!
Pretty sure it’s a Hooded Merganser . . .pgs. 38/39 of Peterson’s Field Guide to Birds (of Eastern and Cenral North America). A much better way to spend the day than running errands. I’m thinking we “locals” should go birding together . . .
I’m always available for a birding adventure!
At least someone is enjoying the weather . . . Love the fascinators they’re wearing .
They look like rock stars to me.
Wood ducks!