Chilly Today

It was a frigid day here in Michigan, but I ventured out to see who might be floating on the open sections of the Red Cedar River. I came across two birds that aren't common here this time of year, the Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) and the Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon).  I can't help but think it's got to be cold being either one of these birds, diving into freezing water for fish and emerging into sub-freezing air.  But that's the human in me anthropomorphizing the birds.  The female merganser was having a jolly time.  I was the one who was freezing to death holding the camera to film her.  Wishing I had a faster metabolism and lots of water-proof feathers...