Shorewood. The Hooded Merganser visits our Hood

Hooded Merganser in the pond

I looked out the window at the pond. I have been keeping track of the visitors and reidence.   In the distance  a strikingly marked duck was diving under the surface and then coming up. I had never seen one like this, but then that is not saying a lot. I am new to the birding world.

My National Geographic Bird guide led me to identifying it as a Hooded Merganser. This photo is with my wimpy 3X zoom, but it clearly shows the markings.