The above is the cover-page of the "MISSISSIPPI BELLE, 2010 issue" This magazine is published annually by The Mississippi Lakes Association. I took this photo in early May, 2008. On page 17 of the magazine, you can also find an article I wrote entitled " COMMON MERGANSER INVASION - First Lake, 2008. (See: http://www.lakemississippi.ca/Mississippi%20Belle%20Magazine%202010.pdf

Our Cover ( See Page 1, Mississippi Belle, 2010):

From mid April through May, 2008, I periodically watched, stalked and photographed
the ducks swimming in the Mississippi River adjacent to Riverside Park, Carleton Place.
Mostly, the various ducks would swim and feed far out in the middle of the river,
but occasionally I’d find one or a few feeding not far from shore, only to swim,
dive or fly away fast on spotting me or anyone on shore. To get this photo,
I parked my vehicle close to the water at the C.P. boat ramps. Then, using it as a
blind, I patiently waited until this Bufflehead flew in and landed less than 20 feet
from my vehicle. I manage only a few shots before the Bufflehead caught wind of me and
hurried away.

Hank Vander Velde
(Former Resident of Birch Point Lane, Mississippi Lake.)