The Unusual Behavior

  Early this morning, I noticed a few ducks swimming out of a cut in the Bayou.  Knowing that the winter months bring tons of migrating birds into the area, I pondered as to which type these were.  As soon as the sunlight hit the birds, it was easy to tell that the ducks were some of my favorites...the Hooded Mergansers!  I love the Hoodies!  The drakes have such an unusual look about them with their white crests that are edged with stark black. They have a black and white patterned body that is flanked with rust colored sides.  The females are just as lovely even though more subdued.  Instead of the showy crest, their's are a lovely cinnamon color.  These small ducks fly in to spend their winters with us.  They feed on the small shrimp that fill the waters of the Bayou.  Their arrival is somewhat a sure sign that winter has come to the Bayou.

A lovely quartet of Hooded Mergansers paddling about the Bayou.  In the upper left corner and in the center of the photo are several Tree Swallows.

  While watching the Hoodies was interesting enough, it was thirty or so smaller birds that stole the show.  A whole stand of Tree Swallows was swarming above the ducks.  The swallows were acting a mite strange.  It is not uncommon to see the swallows swarming above the marsh in search of gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects that breed there but these birds were not feeding.  Instead, the birds were dipping into the water, rising and fluttering.  Water droplets were scattering everywhere!  

  After watching the birds for a bit, it dawned on me that they were taking advantage of the calm waters of the Bayou.  Even though there was a brisk north wind, the area against the marsh was quite calm.  The birds were simply bathing in the calm waters under the warm sunshine.  So...I had a two for one view....my favorite ducks and an aerial ballet by the swallows.  You can't ask for a better way to start a morning.   I love my bayou friends!