Ladies Night Out

When it comes to water fowl, I have taken an interest in observing  the stages in the socialization process that evolve over the course of the warm weather months.
Predictably, in springtime, a young male's fancy turns to thoughts of love.

Of course this applies to both the mergansers... 

                                            

...as well as the mallard ducks.

                                         

However, by summer's end, as seen below, it's Ladies Nite Out.

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As it turns out,

this poor guy has to go it alone.

As for the lady megansers, it's time to preen away at the plume bar while quacking it up.