This Hooded Merganser was outnumbered, by Common Gallinules of all things. Gallinules tend to stick to the edges of any waterway and mind their own business except for their cackling squawks which always alerts the whole area to a photographer’s presence. Or so I thought.
![Hooded Merganser and Gallinules](https://i0.wp.com/passingbyphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/531a6525-edit.jpg?resize=474%2C267&ssl=1)
The Gallinules quickly got into the Merganser’s space.
![Hooded Merganser and Gallinules](https://i0.wp.com/passingbyphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/531a6531-edit.jpg?resize=474%2C267&ssl=1)
He tried out paddling them.
![Hooded Merganser and Gallinules](https://i0.wp.com/passingbyphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/531a6536-edit.jpg?resize=474%2C267&ssl=1)
They followed so the Merganser opted to put some extra distance between them.
![Hooded Merganser and Gallinules](https://i0.wp.com/passingbyphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/531a6544.jpg?resize=474%2C267&ssl=1)
Finally, a spot of his own.
![Hooded Merganser](https://i0.wp.com/passingbyphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/531a6561-edit.jpg?resize=474%2C267&ssl=1)
Poor merganser, he sure had to hotfoot it😊. Nice series Ellen!
I’m not sure what the Gallinules’ intentions were, but they were serious about moving the merganser along. Thanks, Belinda!
I’m really surprised the action of the Common Gallinules, I think the Merganser looked surprised too! 🙂
Me, too! I had never seen a Gallinule do anything but hide or run no matter the commotion.