Odd duck - can you identify it?
 

In February, I took 2 photos of a duck or bird swimming in the lake behind our house. It hasn't reappeared yet, so I presume it came south for the winter. I checked our books of Florida birds, but can't find anything that faintly resembles it. Does anyone have a clue?

...

Google Image Result for http://www.birdsofoklahoma.net/images/Hoodmerganser02.jpg
Hooded Merganser. Oh my how beautiful!

Looks like a male Hooded Merganser to me.
Hooded Merganser, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
(sorry kitty, I was typing at the same time)

I think it might be a hooded merganzer.

I see that you were typing at the same time. It took forever for the link to load!
Cornell is great for bird info..
K.

Odd Duck Identified
 

Many thanks to all of you who identified the male Hooded Merganser. Jack and I will be reading all about it, thanks to your links. I will sleep better tonight, and I'll look forward to his return in the winter. Villagers rule!!!

yeah, we rock and rule! yea us! beautiful photo you got. telephoto?

Photo of Odd Duck
 

Thanks for the compliment. No telephoto, no tripod. Just a handheld Canon pocket camera with a decent zoom -- and a lanai that's close to the lake (thus the tree and supporting beam on the right).