Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a popular birding and photography destination starting late November through December and for good reason.  Sandhill cranes migrate here for the winter, numbering in the 1,000s and are the main attraction while snow and Ross’s geese come in the 1,000s as well and are a close second.  While I certainly spent my time with those species and came away with some great shots, I also hoped to photograph some new species for me but didn’t really dream I’d get a hooded merganser.  These tiny ducks have a tendency to quickly swim the other way when a car pulls up, if not fly off completely.  So, at sunset on my last day, I was thrilled to finish my trip with this handsome merganser as he swam through a small cove where the light reflected stunningly in the water.  I actually watched him and his mate for about an hour hoping he would come into this cove and my commitment paid off as this was among the last photos of the trip.