I always love photographing Common Mergansers; there’s something about these diving ducks, especially the females with their spiky red heads, that appeals to me. The other day I was relaxing in a secluded spot along the river when I heard a lot of splashing nearby and spotted this very busy mom with her single duckling. It made me wonder what happened to the rest of her brood. Life can be tough when you’re trying to raise a family on your own.