Lonely little duck on the lake

[Bayer66]

We are visiting friends who have a cottage on a lake in Lenox, Mass. Today is August 5, 2014. I have noticed a solitary little brown duck - Mallard hen we are pretty sure. She's always alone. She stays near a spit of land. She 'bathes???" daily by flapping her wings in the water. Several other ducks of a similar color and breeding do not seem to like her. She never goes near them. I have seen her feeding on land with the Canadian Geese that live on the lake - mutual toleration I'm sure.

Can anyone please explain this behavior and give us an idea of what is going on? I am not knowlegable about ducks, but have read most of the sights regarding behavior, breeding, nesting behavior etc.

Thank you
Renee Flanagan

 

[Amiga]

Renee, I cannot think of a reason . . . perhaps @Speceider can help - he is familiar with many kinds of waterfowl.