So, ol' born-yesterday photog watched this Gadwall and Coot hanging out together for a long while,

Gadwall and Coot hanging out together
Photo by Gloria Z Nagler

and was touched by their attachment to one another: rare for different species, right? And look, the Gadwall waits so nicely when the Coot dives for food.

Photo by Gloria Z Nagler

Can you say "kleptoparasitism"? Back home, after some internet research, I learned that Gadwalls stalk Coots, wait for them to dive, then, when unsuspecting Coot surfaces, Gadwall seizes whatever food the Coot has found! Didn't see that here (Coot came up empty-beaked).

--Gloria Z Nagler

(Sorry, Gloria. Things are not always as they seem. - Ed.)