Nine frisky pairs of Harlequin Ducks observed on Mother’s Day along the Yellowstone River. Exceptionally strong swimmers whether in raging rapids or heavy surf, Harlequins are a plucky duck. Capable of diving and walking underwater, in Yellowstone they feed on aquatic insects found along fast moving mountain rivers. A beach bum, the male abandons the female once she is incubating the eggs and heads west to hang at the beach with his buddies for the summer. Once fledged, the female leads the young on the long journey to the coast where the family reunites for the winter before making the return jouney to Yellowstone the following Spring.