Inflight Hooded, Henne

Phil the Groundhog saw his shadow, auguring a month and a half of wintry weather, but most of his competitors forecast the very opposite—an early spring. This year, I think the winter-deniers are going to have it right. There's almost no ice in the places that should be frozen solid, and the ducks are taking advantage of the meteorological largesse. On a walk today through the Henne Preserve, I noticed that the Shunock Brook was flowing like a summer stream, and it was full of Hooded Mergansers, which were happily diving after fish. Hoodeds are often here throughout the winter, particularly if there's open water, and when we get completely icebound, the handsome ducks head to the salt ponds, the protected bays, and the ocean until warmth arrives and conditions improve. But in 2017, they haven't had to leave fresh water very often, and despite Phil's dire prognostication, the birds may simply stay put, flying occasionally and mostly paddling about serenely. Soon enough, the males will be opening that head crest to its fullest extent in an attempt to wow the ladies... and delight the photographers.

Hooded diving, Henne