White-winged Scoter

[Grace Scalzo]

Last winter, I decided to make a project out of photographing all three scoter species (Black, Surf, and White-winged). I did. This year, I am trying to get nice low angle shots of them all as last year they were all off of a jetty. Check the box on two of the three, still need Black.

This photograph was an exercise in patience. I visited a spot last week and found the group which were way out on the Sound and very shy. Yesterday, went back. After tucking myself behind a rock and waiting for somewhere toward an hour, one brave duck decided to come and check me out. Sadly, what could have been a nice long time with him was cut very short by a couple walking their dog.

Thanks for reading and for looking at my picture.

1/1600, f8, iso800
Canon 1dx, 600f4 + 2.0tc + lowered rrs tripod

[Grace Scalzo]

PS- This individual had one white iris and one yellow. (I have never seen this before )

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Grace, your patience lying low paid off nicely here, and you certainly nailed the exposure on this fellow. Great yellow eye, and the white splash adds interest there. I really like the blues of the water, and if this was mine, I would take about half off the bottom ( its not much )

[William Dickson]

Very nice looking image Grace. I like the feather details, the POV and the eye contact. Lovely looking colour in the BG. Good work, thanks for sharing

[Sandy Witvoet]

Great work, Grace! Excellent POV... Really difficult to photo a pretty much black bird on reflective water...just enough detail and "THAT EYE!" (interesting to know each eye was different!). Really like how the viewer's focal point goes from "eye contact" to that incredible orange bill. BG is excellent.

[gail bisson]

Lovely one Grace! Great details in the blacks and terrific POV.
Well done,
Gail

[Satish Ranadive]

Magnificent image. Great exposure on blacks. Love the blue water and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[WillieHall]

you really captured all the important details of this bird in sharp focus....patience paid off, inspiring to me

[David Salem]

I like this one too. He looks cool suspended in all that blue. Your usual solid techs have brought out nice detail in all that black and I like the good look at that eye. Nice one Grace.