A quick late afternoon trip to prospect lake as the sun was setting was all the time I needed to enjoy some special ducks.
Three pairs of Hooded Mergansers were observed by me. The first pair I spotted emerged from behind a water snag at the shore of the Hammerhead peninsula be West island. That pair eventually joined the pair at Three sisters islands. But the third pair was closest to me affording me great looks of the drake in courtship,it's head crest fully displayed. When the birds are close,you can see all the details.
Adding to the scene , a drake Ring-necked Duck glided behind the third pair deep inside West Island cove.
It's getting to be that time of year when ducks return and possibly stopping in on the lake