Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Red-breasted Mergansers

The Red-breasted Mergansers are common visitors during the spring migration but oddly enough in the past I have encountered only hens on our local lake. This all changed one recent morning when I encountered a flock of mergansers containing two males.

The mergansers allowed me to approach to within range of my 100-400mm without undue concern.


As I paralleled the feeding birds they dived repeatedly, returning to the surface within a few seconds. As this was my first encounter with the colorful males I focused most of my attention upon them.



This was my second encounter with the Red- Breasted Mergansers this spring. During my next visit to the lake three days later only a large flock of females were present.




10 comments:

DeeMom said...

so lovely
great photos

Anonymous said...

I'm seeing fewer Red-breasted Mergansers on Gloucester Harbor. It must be time to move along. Nice photos.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos...wish I had your lens...debbie

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be cool to see them swimming underwater and chasing the fish. They are the perfect blend to balance themselves to be in the water, the air, and to nest on land.

Shelley said...

I just love the shot of them diving into the water. Excellent!

Montanagirl said...

Great shots as always. Love the diving one also.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Salty: Very neat photos of this fine duck.

imac said...

Last 2 shots - special captures Salty.

Happy Easter

Les Barr said...

Nice looking Image's. Even though we have the Blue Marsh Lake not far from here, I never see any Merganser Ducks any where around. Why, I have no idea. They even have nest's built for them around the Lake. If I'm not mistaken, the nest is usually up on a pole above the water?

The longest Lens that I have for my Pentax K100D is the Tamron 70-300mm Telephoto with Macro 180-300mm. It's a real nice Lens and will reach out pretty far. Sometime, I'll go to the local Wildlife Refuge and see just how good it really can be.

Leedra said...

Great photos!

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