97-01

New York 1997

Hooded Merganser by R. Easton

Fred's Anecdotal Note

1997 New York

A mother Hooded Merganser duck watches attentively over her brood of three ducklings. Their youthful plumage is not the usual downy yellow but rather a distinctive brown, gray, and white. A unique reddish brown crest makes the female of this species clearly identifiable. The habitat for this active family is a New York State beaver pond, and two of the industrious creatures work on a lodge nearby. The hand-painted cachet continues my Milford Wildlife Series. Only 150 covers were produced for this $5.50 issue, and the postmark is from Warwick, New Yoik.