Common Merganser hen at sunset

I haven't posted this before now, because of several obvious deficiencies: she has gotten slightly past me, and the near wing position is less than ideal. But as I look through my old files I keep coming back to this because of the way the last rays of the setting sun caught her against the darkened, partly frozen lake last January. I don't know if this counts as a duck.

500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 800, 1/1250s @ f/7.1 manual. From a prone position lying in a lakeside snowbank. Cloned out an oof merg. in the background.

Hi Bill,
I like the light and the water drops. You have mentioned the nits already. Nice catch.
Allen

Agree with your self-assessment but just love that killer light.
Is a merganser a duck? Would love to know the answer to this. In most ID books mergansers are listed in the same chapter as ducks or waterfowl.
Gail

The light is truly amazing on this shot, Bill. Self critique about the shooting angle covers it well.

Bill:

This light makes for a striking image. Yes, some issues, but the light is so good, that it is still a very effective image.

Cheers

Randy

Great light and subtle BG, Bill. Glad you chose to post this image.



Geoffrey

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gail bisson

Is a merganser a duck?

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It appears to be referred to as a "diving duck" so it would seem appropriate to call it either a duck and/or a water fowl as well.

Lovely light here, Bill. I wouldnt' have passed up this opportunity!