Merganser Duck Diving at Lakeside Park, Mississauga, Ontario in January

You know how when you go for a walk along a beach you sometimes see ducks way out on the lake. You can’t really see much just enough of a profile to tell you roughly what kind they are. I can tell the “fishing bobber” behaviour of the Buffleheads or the “making a beeline for shore to beg for bread” behaviour of Mallards. Today, I was treated to the “Boy can I dive acrobatically” behaviour of a Merganser.

These are all terrible photos because of the distance. Here’s what one looks like before trying to zoom in a bit.

Photo of Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January Bufflehead Goldeneye Merganser

So these next photos are more about showcasing the sheer style of the dives, rather than about being in focus or properly stopped.

Photo of Merganser Arched to Dive Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January

Photo of Merganser Diving Head first Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January

Photo of Merganser Diving Backwards Head Twisted Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January

Photo of Merganser Diving Backwards Head Twisted Continued Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January

And I thought the divers in the Olympics had power. Imagine forcing yourself up out of the water, arching and then torpedoing down? Especially when the water is only slightly above freezing.

Here are a few more dives. Some are probably the Buffleheads.

Photo of Diving Duck Spread Tail Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January

Photo of Diving Ducks Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January

Photo of Duck Probably Bufflehead Diving Lakeside Park Mississauga Ontario January

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