We associate a large influx of Red-breasted Mergansers to Lake Macatawa with the Christmas season as they usually appear just before the Christmas Bird Count. We see lots of them flying back and forth from Lake Michigan inland to Lake Macatawa or floating in the water.
We were at Grand Haven State Park when we observed this merganser floating in the channel on an iceberg. He took advantage of scratching his face showing off his foot and toenails. This photo also captured the beautiful red eye and serrated bill.