Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes this duck as a "small duck with slender bill and flamboyant oversized head." They spend the winter in our area, mostly at Capitol Lakes near the governor's mansion. They are quite camera-shy, refusing to venture close when people are present. The Hooded Merganser is a diving duck, foraging mostly for aquatic insects, crawfish, and small fish.
It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I was very grateful, as rain is back in the forecast tomorrow and the next day.
400mm | f/5.6 | ISO 200 | 1/2000 sec