Which Merganser? plus a Merlin?

[photog46]

Sighted 9/22/21 in southern Maine on a small freshwater lake.  I believe they are female and immature Hooded Mergansers (lower mandible is yellowish on female, body mostly brownish on both), but could they possibly be female and immature Red-breasteds?  The bills seem to me too dark and thick for RB's.  Sorry the pictures are not ideal--the birds were a bit far away for my lens, the day was overcast, and the birds were pretty backlit.   Is the last picture a female Merlin (sighted hunting at same lake)?  Thanks for any help!

[Aidan B]

The mergansers are Hooded, I can't help on the sex of the Merlin, but I can confirm it's a Merlin. 

[Peromyscus]

Hooded Mergansers and a female or immature Merlin.

[Liam]

The Hooded Mergansers are imm (R in pic 1-2), and a basic-plumaged or young male (L in pics 1-2). The eye color is pale, though not yet the bright yellow of the adult male, and there are hints of pale feathers molting in behind the cheeks.

[photog46]

Thanks to all!  I learn so much from these posts and enjoy looking at other people's posts as well (sometimes I see if I can identify the bird in someone's post and then check my answer against the knowledgeable people who respond).  

[The Bird Nuts]

1 minute ago, photog46 said:

(sometimes I see if I can identify the bird in someone's post and then check my answer against the knowledgeable people who respond)

That's how I learned so much in such a small amount of time.  The folks on this forum are so helpful.

[Kevin]

25 minutes ago, photog46 said:

(sometimes I see if I can identify the bird in someone's post and then check my answer against the knowledgeable people who respond).

 

18 minutes ago, The Bird Nuts said:

That's how I learned so much in such a small amount of time.  The folks on this forum are so helpful.

I used to do that too.