This is the first time I've had the pleasure of successfully photographing a male of the species. It still has a few feathers finishing up the molt, but otherwise looking good. They are normally very skittish around these parts, but this fella responded to the audio quite well (although I suspect it would not have responded as well had I not been concealed within tall grasses).
Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/2500s., f/8, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, about 80% FF, a few highlights in the water patched out. In hindsight I might eliminate the lower of the two catchlights.
Nice one Dan.. Great job on getting so close to a male bird. Lovely low shooting angle and the bird is showing a good head turn. They are called Goosanders over here.
I like the low shooting angle, head turn, bow wave, exposure, details and composition. Congratulations on adding the male to your files. Excellent image as always!
Congrats on getting him to approach you. Very nice shot! I love the slightly up-tilted bill.
I noticed the 2nd catch light before reading your mention of it. So yes I'd go after it ;)
Does the plumage surrounding the eye and cheek areas seem a little lacking in contrast to you? Perhaps it is just the hues that are giving me that impression?
Common Merganser (Male)
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