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:

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

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

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  3. 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.

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

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  5. Great shots as always. Love the diving one also.

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  6. Last 2 shots - special captures Salty.

    Happy Easter

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  7. 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.

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Thanks again
Coy