Goosanders (Mergus merganser) M&F

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hand held, I cropped for composition and to remove some buildings at the base.

Om-1 150-400TCFocal Length (35 mm conversion) : 947.0mm
Exposure mode : Manual exposure
ISO: 800
Exposure compensation : +0.7 EV
Shutter : 1/2000 sec
Aperture : F5.6

ACR/PSCC

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Never easy getting two in a frame. You got good flight angle on both. Wish the one on the top had wings up/down. Wispy clouds are nice. I'd add a sliver more canvas behind (right). The heads appear a tad dark on my monitor. Cool seeing the sky through the female's bill.
Is this the same as a merganser?

[Jonathan Ashton]

Is this the same as a merganser?
No the Goosander has a hooked bill the Merganser does not, they are easily confused , aspects of plumage are similar but the bill is the easiest giveaway.

[Arthur Morris]

Just for the record books, Goosander is a subspecies of Common Merganser. Learn lots more here (https://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/07/distinguishing-eurasian-and-american-common-merganser/)where David Sibley writes:



bill averages stronger hook at tip but both subspecies are variable and there is complete overlap

with love, artie

[Arthur Morris]

Jon,

As for the image, processing these guys in low is is beyond difficult in part because the male's head is green. I am betting that the raw file is well underexposed. Send it along if you like.

with love, a