“Hoodie”…Coming and Going

This past weekend I was set up by myself along the salt marsh hoping something would happen. Suddenly I only barely spotted something jetting in quickly toward my location. I brought the camera up just in time to catch this male hooded merganser skidding in for a landing next to me. The reason why it landed near me in the first place was because it didn’t realize I was there! Mergansers are notoriously shy and skittish birds who prefer to not be in close proximity to people. This one turned and floated for just a couple of seconds until it saw me and that was it…Mr. Hoodie took off for a location farther out in the marsh leaving me alone once again.

77 thoughts on ““Hoodie”…Coming and Going”

Herbstbaum on January 3, 2013 at 1:27 pm said:

These birds are so beautiful!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:42 pm said:
  
  They are cute!
  
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thehappyhugger on January 3, 2013 at 1:31 pm said:

What beautiful pictures.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:42 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you like them!
  
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tramedipensieri on January 3, 2013 at 1:48 pm said:

Stupende!! Lol

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:44 pm said:
  
  Grazie mille!
  
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shoreacres on January 3, 2013 at 1:48 pm said:

Fabulous photos. Every year, we see a few of these down here, but they do keep to themselves and it took me a long time to figure out what I was looking at when I first saw one. What a treat that you were able to capture this one!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:45 pm said:
  
  Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. I was happy this one decided to come in close, normally that is not their style.
  
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meyer23 on January 3, 2013 at 1:52 pm said:

Yeah, that are fantastic pics. Love them. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:46 pm said:
  
  I am so happy you like the photos!
  
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Gracie on January 3, 2013 at 1:53 pm said:

What a beautiful bird! Excellent captures, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:46 pm said:
  
  It is a cute and interesting bird, thanks gracie!
  
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einfachtilda on January 3, 2013 at 2:06 pm said:

Huii, die hatte es aber eilig und schön sieht sie aus !!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:47 pm said:
  
  Es ist ein sehr hübscher Vogel 😀
  
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Chillbrook on January 3, 2013 at 2:08 pm said:

Such a beautiful bird Phil. So glad you were able to capture these. 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:48 pm said:
  
  It is a pretty and somewhat unusual bird, thanks very much Adrian!
  
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greenlightlady on January 3, 2013 at 2:08 pm said:

Well done! What a beautiful bird he is!

Blessings ~ Wendy

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:49 pm said:
  
  He is a real looker!
  Thanks Wendy!
  
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WinstonePhotography on January 3, 2013 at 2:33 pm said:

Such a handsome little guy, I would love to have one of him in my backyard.. although that isn’t realistic. Love the reflections in the photograph!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:49 pm said:
  
  Thank you so much for you kind words and for looking!
  
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  - WinstonePhotography on January 3, 2013 at 7:34 pm said:
    
    Of course, I enjoy your posts.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 7:45 pm said:
      
      🙂
      
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niasunset on January 3, 2013 at 2:37 pm said:

Unbelievable moments you captured dear Phil, looks like on a jet skii 🙂 Amazing. Thanks and Love,nia

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:49 pm said:
  
  Thank you Nia, I appreciate your very kind comments!
  
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janmasyn on January 3, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:

Awesome pictures Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Jan.
  
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pixelspielerei on January 3, 2013 at 3:15 pm said:

Wow, great! She looks very … different. You know?!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:50 pm said:
  
  It is a very intresting and unusual looking bird. Like a cartoon. 😀
  
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jcwildphotos on January 3, 2013 at 3:33 pm said:

Amazing shots, Phil! That guy is so neat looking!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks a bunch, it is an unusual and odd looking bird but I really like them!
  
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Kate on January 3, 2013 at 4:12 pm said:

What a cutie! : )

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:52 pm said:
  
  It is a real cutie, I agree! Thanks Kate!
  
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Patrizia M. on January 3, 2013 at 4:38 pm said:

Bellissime foto, sono fantastiche!!
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:52 pm said:
  
  Hello Pat
  Grazie mille 🙂
  
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Amy on January 3, 2013 at 6:08 pm said:

Awesome capture, Phil! Thank you!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the kind comment Amy! 🙂
  
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dinajohnston on January 3, 2013 at 6:34 pm said:

So much great action you caught. And so clear! Usually they just float around.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:
  
  You are right, I normally just see them floating around. I got lucky that this one flew in right by me.
  
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Gunta on January 3, 2013 at 7:03 pm said:

Congrats on being at the right place at the right time! Fantastic shots!!! You really do get the best bird shots ever.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 7:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks Gunta, I’m happy you liked seeing the always entertaining hoody!
  
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lylekrahn on January 3, 2013 at 7:43 pm said:

Ah the beautiful seconds before you’re discovered. Nice photos.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 7:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks. This boy beat it out of there the instant he saw me.
  A couple of weeks ago we had a kingfisher go to land about three feet from us. He never saw us, but never even got his feet down, as soon as he realized there were people there he zoomed off like we just lit his tail feathers on fire.
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on January 3, 2013 at 8:08 pm said:

I am new here, but you have some wonderful captures. I came from another blog (when I saw that long lens of yours) that visited my post on birds, and I am very glad I did. You are quite the nature photographer.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 3, 2013 at 8:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much for your kind words and I’m glad you enjoy my photos!
  
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sallywoodphotography on January 3, 2013 at 8:57 pm said:

Great job to get this little guy on the run, I ‘m sure he was moving very fast…. you have some quick reflexes!!! How many cups of coffee???

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:35 am said:
  
  Thanks very much Sally!
  So much coffee my hands were shaking, I ususally bring some out with me in the morning. Not good though for trying to get pictures in focus. 🙂
  
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  - sallywoodphotography on January 4, 2013 at 12:09 pm said:
    
    But helps with the quick reactions… lol!
    
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Molly Argo on January 3, 2013 at 10:16 pm said:

What a great landing! I, unfortunately, have never seen this beauty.I guess I will have to just continue seeing your great photos of him to satisfy my curiosity.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:36 am said:
  
  Thanks a bunch Molly! We only see these normally at the beginning of winter and are always happy when some show up. They are comical little ducks.
  
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Rexlin Victor on January 4, 2013 at 12:03 am said:

Fabulous shots!!!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:37 am said:
  
  I’m very happy you liked them!
  
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joanna on January 4, 2013 at 8:02 am said:

He’s so comical, almost like he stuck a wing in the light socket 🙂 Great shots Phil 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:38 am said:
  
  He really is comical. Almost like a character from some animated kids movie. 🙂
  Thanks for checking these out Joanna!
  
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adinparadise on January 4, 2013 at 9:08 am said:

Love this cute, funny bird, Phil. I can’t stop smiling when I look at him. 😀 Great photos again.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:40 am said:
  
  That’s exactly what we say about the hoodies too…cute and funny! Glad he made you smile as much as us.
  These guys look like some character from an animated children’s movie. 🙂
  Glad you enjoyed the pics Sylvia!
  
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Larry on January 4, 2013 at 9:39 am said:

Talk about hitting the breaks!! Skid marks!!

Nice series, that brought a smile to my face.

Larry

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:42 am said:
  
  Hey thanks Larry, glad you liked the pics and they made you smile! Yes they sure hit the brakes hard when coming in, and they are super fast flyers too! You blink and it’s already by you.
  
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ManoliRizoFotografia on January 4, 2013 at 10:18 am said:

¡Impresionante!, nunca había visto un ave como esta, es fantástica, las tomas son geniales,esos reflejos en el agua las hacen mas bellas aún, besos Phil

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:47 am said:
  
  Estoy muy feliz te gusta este pájaro divertido! 🙂
  
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monisertel on January 4, 2013 at 10:25 am said:

Hello Phil,
amazing series, great pics!!!
Wish you a wonderful weekend,
moni

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 11:42 am said:
  
  Thanks so much moni, I’m happy you liked these!
  Enjoy your weekend also!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on January 4, 2013 at 12:06 pm said:

This is fantastic Phil ! Of course, your hoodie photos put my little one to shame. What a fortunate person you are.

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 7:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Emily, glad you enjoyed these pics!
  Oh Iove your hoodie photo, it’s got great light; 🙂
  
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  - Bella Remy Photography on January 13, 2013 at 8:09 pm said:
    
    Again..really not fair that you have such great hoodie shots. I think I need to become a better stalker.
    
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    - Phil Lanoue on January 13, 2013 at 8:26 pm said:
      
      These guys are up on all my best stalking methods. They generally see me immediately and head in the opposite direction. If they were not so darn cute I would dislike them immensely. 😉 😀
      
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      - Bella Remy Photography on January 13, 2013 at 8:28 pm said:
        
        LOL ! I would die laughing watching you and the hoodies then!
        
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Dina on January 4, 2013 at 12:32 pm said:

I have never seen anything like this, very good captures. I wish i could expand my brainy head like that at times, tha would really help.
🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 7:02 pm said:
  
  They are hysterical when they pop their heads up like that. This is truly what a fictional bird from another planet would look like if somebody made it up I think. 😀
  
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Katariina Partala on January 4, 2013 at 5:28 pm said:

Nice hairstyle!! I wonder what kind of hair gel he uses… 😉 Great photos as always!!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 4, 2013 at 7:02 pm said:
  
  Whatever he uses it holds up great even when wet! 😀
  Thanks, I’m glad you liked these!
  
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Tricia A. Mitchell on January 6, 2013 at 7:22 am said:

What a whimsical series, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 6, 2013 at 1:06 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed these Tricia! Thanks!
  
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jjsullivan2011 on January 7, 2013 at 11:52 am said:

You are amazing! The reflection and the wake are wicked!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 7, 2013 at 6:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks much Jen I appreciate it!
  
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Kitt Crescendo on January 8, 2013 at 8:43 pm said:

These guys are just too cute!

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- Phil Lanoue on January 13, 2013 at 8:23 pm said:
  
  They are super cute aren’t they?! 😀
  
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