The Male Hooded Merganser seems to get all the attention because of his coloring and fan-shaped white crest however the Female Hooded Merganser is very attractive with her tawny crest. I was visiting the Viera Wetlands and this beautiful Female Hooded Merganser took off from the water with no sighting of the male. They are only winter residents in that area of Florida so maybe he was nearby. They are capable of taking off very quickly from water so I feel fortunate to have captured this image.
