Another Common Merganser Hen

[Bill Dix]

Here's another shot of one of the Merganser hens from my visit to the lake on a recent cold evening. I cloned out a bit of the ice shelf that was showing up in the upper BG. The lake was mostly frozen, with the birds gathering in a patch of open water. They would patrol the edge of the ice, and as if on cue, 3 or 4 of them would dive simultaneously and swim under the ice for what seemed a long time. Only once did I see one re-surface with a fish.

D7000, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 800, 1/2000s @ f/7.1 manual. Sitting on the snow behind lowered tripod, with heels dug in trying to keep from sliding into the lake.

[dankearl]

Excellent light again....
The only thing that would improve it would be a better reflection, but out of your control...

[Grace Scalzo]

Bill, I am enjoying the warm light in this series. Nice image of a tricky species.

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely light and details here, Bill. It's almost a spotlighting effect. I am loving all those water droplets.

[Randy Stout]

Bill:

The light angle combined with slight head turn works well here to highlight the eye, and give some modeling and depth to the bird.

Not everyone is a fan of the ultra pano crop I use on my loons, but I think a little off the top would work well here as well.

Cheers

Rand

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all.