Hi Tina,
Good job of getting one of these in the frame. Seems the majority of the time I see them, they are swimming away with only their tails showing.
What you have here is a male that has molted and is still growing the beautiful plummage that they are typically noted for. The annual molting process in which both sexes change plumage occurs after breeding. The ducks are unable to fly for about 21 to 28 days, and they become secretive and hide in cover to avoid predators. The process takes place in large marshes in or near the breeding area. When completely molted after the breeding season, there is little difference between the male and female. I think most people don't realize that.
Here is an image I took of a female and male after molting.
http://www.pbase.com/ronnie_14187/image/101855253 Amazing how similar they look.
