Common mergansers

Last Saturday, February 22nd, at an ice-free spot on our local large river, I photographed a pair of female Common Mergansers and posted the image on that day's blog entry. This afternoon, while on my way to do the grocery shopping—oh, the exciting life of the naturalist!—I passed by the very same spot and noticed a handsome male of the same species. I typically see members of the Mergus merganser clan at the beginning of March in the upper reaches of the millpond near my house, and when I spot the first Goosanders, as they're known throughout northern Europe, it's a sure sign of impending spring. At this point, however, the millpond is solid ice, but it's nice to know that these handsome, fish-eating commoners are close by, just waiting for a chance to be harbingers.