Opening in the Ice

As I have noted previously, this time of year the local lakes and ponds are mostly frozen over.  Where water flows an opening in the ice may be maintained.  This is the case at McKenzie Reservoir in Wallingford, CT, where a road bisects the body of water.

Today I spent nearly an hour photographing one Ring-Necked Duck and one Hooded Merganser at this hole.  After over 600 shots I had to just leave, even though the birds were continuing to make themselves available.  

These are the best of the shots obtained.

 

 

And, for your Daily Merganser, I give you a female Common from the same hole.  She decided to vacate shortly after I arrived.