Posted four images of the troop of Common Mergansers that have frequented our shore at Mississippi Lake this year. This is the fourth time, (two weeks since my last posting), that they came right along our dock. I followed them in my boat and found them again near the same dock where they had been sunning themselves several weeks ago. There was a lady on the dock so they just swam around it and lined up behind The Boss to find an other haven.

There are still at least 28 young in the group. The young are approaching adult size and plumage and it is difficult to tell Mom from the rest, except by her demeanor. She is still in charge as can be seen by the group photo above where she is again at the front and not one of the brood tries to pass her. In the other photos, the mergansers are just swimming along and/or doing some relaxed fishing. There is non of the frenzied fishing previously observed, an indication that they had probably eaten their main course for the day already.

(Above image is 1 of 4)