Common Mergansers are one of the first waterfowl species to return here in the spring - well before the ice is off the lakes. As ice recedes from the shoreline, these birds forage in the narrow bands of open water and provide a few days of photo opportunities. In the sunlight, the drakes can be almost blindingly white - making for difficult exposures. Here the focus point is on the hen. The drake isn't quite as sharp. 40D, 500 f/4 +1.4X, 1/1,250, f/10, ISO 400. Comments are welcome.
I think for these ducks soft light is about the only solution Would try working a different angle for the bg Wish for the head of the drake not to intersect the ice/dark area Do like the low angle and poses. Good point of focus on the female very sharp !! Sure hope you get them when the ice opens up more !!!
Common Merganser pair
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