Normally most Mergansers have left our area by now. This lone Merganser was found on the ice at the edge of a small open area of water near a storm inlet. It was evident that its right leg was injured and it appeared at first to be frozen to the ice. When we approached it for a better look to see if we could help it, it took off into the water using even its injured foot to run the short distance over the ice. Once in the water, it just swam around, made some quacking sounds and did a few wing flaps and wing stretches. I'm wondering if it can even get airborne as usually they takeoff on the run.

In this image, it seems to be telling us to go away, which we did, after taking some shots. There seemed to be nothing we could do to help it.