Displaying goosanders

There were three pairs of Goosanders in the park today and I spent some time watching them, as they were much more active than a few weeks back. The males displayed in front of the females, stretching their necks with their head feathers erect, and fast-forwarding on the water, at the same time making a string of water droplets that fell in front of the females (above). The females would stretch out of the water and flap their wings or lunge at other pairs.

Note how flat the top of the head of the male is compared to the top photo.

Stretch and flap.

Nicely paired up.

This female threatened another one.