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Common Merganser


Common Merganser
Photo Information
Copyright: Harry Eggens (Proframe) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 569 W: 188 N: 1068] (4078)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-21
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D2X, Nikon 500mm AF-S F4.0, Nikon L37c UV filter
Exposure: f/11, 1/1500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds in Flight [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-30 9:26
Viewed: 1498
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 39
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This image of two, male and female, American Common Merganser I've made during my trip to Alaska, March this year.
They were flying above Katchemak Bay near a small town called Homer. What you see in the background on the water are some pieces of floating ice. Together with the 500mm, I did use the Nikon TC17E II converter and on the tripod was a Wimberley head attached. Camera ISO setting was 400. Best regards, Harry

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From Wipkedia

The Common Merganser, (Goosander in Europe), Mergus merganser, is a large sized duck, which is distributed over Europe, North Asia and North America. It is most common on lakes and rivers. Its nests can be found in treeholes.

There are three subspecies

* M. m. merganser, the Goosander of Europe
* M. m. orientalis, Central Asian Common Merganser
* M. m. americanus, American Common Merganser

Males and females are easily distinguished, since the male merganser has a dark green head, while the head of the female is reddish-brown. The Common Merganser is 70 cm long with a 78-94 cm wingspan.

These large fish-eaters have serrated edges to their bills to help them grip their prey. Along with the Smew and the other Mergansers, they are therefore often known as "sawbills". They also eat mussels and shrimps; young birds mainly eat aquatic insects.

North American birds migrate south in small groups to the United States wherever ice free conditions exist on ponds, lakes and rivers; on the west coast, some birds are permanent residents.

Scandinavian and Russian birds also migrate southwards, but western European birds are largely resident.

The Common Merganser is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.


Thanks for viewing and comment/critiques.
garyfudge, jaycee, vanderschelden, MMM, manyee, jrubiocasado, SelenE has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To manyee: Thanks ManyeeProframe 1 05-31 07:08
To garyfudge: In focus at F11Proframe 1 05-30 09:44
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Critiques [Translate]

Dag Harry,

another superb shot.
Just enough motion blur to create movement and yet sharp enough to show good detail.
How did you manage to get them both in focus at f11?!
Great action shot.

Gauw tot ziens

Gary

great action capture. background is nicely blurred but a bit grainy. birds seem a little oversharpened. nice colors.

Hello Harry,
This is a precious capture! The male and the female at the same time and so well photograph, congrats! They are beautiful bird and this picture is wonderful with excellent colors, POV, composition, exposure and details. This is a little jewel! Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2316 W: 11 N: 6385] (20516)
  • [2007-05-30 10:16]

Hi Harry,

I look forward to your posts each day and this couple is magnificent. You captured them perfectly in wonderful positions. The colors and details are superb as they fly over the lovely blue water.

Jane

great pic, tfs Ori

i like this composition.and the BG.very nice picture.
tfs
caroline

  • Great 
  • pirate Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 443 W: 99 N: 593] (3055)
  • [2007-05-30 10:42]

Hi Harry
Above all the compo is great with extremely nice BG.
The other big point are the eyes.
A real great shot

Nice composition, good work, TFS.

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 880 W: 0 N: 1858] (8364)
  • [2007-05-30 14:04]

Hello Harry
Nice in flight capture.Your image is very sharp
& I like the catchlight in the eyes of the subject.Colors and POV are also good.Nice composition.
TFS Michel

Hello Harry,
Once more great action very colorful and sharp, well compose
and perfect crop, TFS best regards/Lawhill

Fantastic action shot, Harry. : )
Very dynamic.
I like their proximity. Creates a lot of tension.
The fact that their wings are pointed in different directions, up for the top duck, down for the duck below. Makes for a great composition.
Makes me think of the Blue Angels.
TFS. : )

Buenas Harry
Una captura impresionante la de estas serretas, mis felicitaciones.
Un saludo

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2381 W: 63 N: 4145] (13494)
  • [2007-05-31 4:32]

Hi Harry,
Very nice in-flight capture of American Common Merganser showing both male and the female. Focus and sharpness is very good in both. Pose and the light is very good. Well done and TFS
Selen

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 466 W: 61 N: 940] (3002)
  • [2007-05-31 6:51]

Hey harry
Superb composition of the mal and female American Megnser in flight.
The water body BG is really a good contrast against the exposed white body of the birds.
The lights are just perfect.
Very well done
TFS & Cheers

Hello Harry,
Great shot, the sharp eyes and motion blur of wings along with the BG makes this one a stunner. Nice work and TFS
Regards
Anil

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-05-31 23:41]

Hello Harry

That is a beautiful image.The pose you have captured showing sexual dimorphism is wonderful.The lighting is excellent.Nicely composed and the cold Alaskan water makes a super backdrop.Razor sharp details.A high quality shot.TFS

Rob

Hi Harry,
Great inflight capture of these mergs, The lighting was very favorable and you manage nice details and colors. :)

Mai visto nulla di simile. Questi due Smerghi maggiori sono perfettamente ritratti con un ottima luce e nitidezza.
Congratulation for your photo-gallery.
TFS
Angelo

Witaj Harry!
Every Your picture is masterly. Duck in beautiful colours. Very good sharpness. Dynamic picture. Interesting background, because smooth, and however there is trail. Interesting.
Pozdrawiam - Roma

Hi Harry
Wonderfull picture in a wonderfull galery.
For me it's impossible to do.
Conratulations for thios professional work.
Bertrand

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 453 W: 0 N: 964] (8317)
  • [2007-08-07 5:52]

Ha Harry,

Echt een schitterende opname van deze twee zaagbekken. Om ze in het water te zien is al bijzonder, maar vliegend is het helemaal geweldig. Mooie actiefoto die bovendien goed scherp is. Knap gedaan.

groet,
Zeno.

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