Surf Scoter

Gallery: AvianPosted November 13, 2011163 views8 comments

Surf Scoter ( Melanitta perspicillata)

Place: Fountain Hills, AZ
Date: October 30, 2011, 7:25 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 800, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/800th @ f/8, natural light
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 66% of frame

Although not the color eye candy that viewers like to see, this is an exciting species for any birder in Arizona. Scoters winter along both coasts of the U.S. but are vagrants at inland locations. This bird was one of a pair seen for a few days at a large artificial lake and was part of a larger “invasion” of scoters in AZ. Companion shots are included in this post on my blog.

If possible please base any comments on larger version. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on November 13, 2011 at 4:40 PM

I like the half-soaked look of this pose with the water running off the head and bill. Nice smooth, clean water, too. Congrats on capturing a vagrant! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 13, 2011 at 6:45 PM

Really like the smooth water, great backdrop for the Scoter. Nice detail in the bird, the water running off the head and the drops really add to the image. Nice work Richard.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 14, 2011 at 6:03 AM

Lovely water and nice catch!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 14, 2011 at 9:21 PM

Really cool to get this bird in AZ and to get such a wonderful photo - I don't even have one this nice and they are regulars in the winter. Great exposure and good job freezing the water coming off the head

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on November 15, 2011 at 2:32 AM

I had no idea Surf Scoters - any Scoter species - made it into Arizona. And then seeing it in non-breeding plumage had me scratching my head for a while. Nicely captured.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 16, 2011 at 7:42 AM

Great capture. I like the water at the beak & head.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 16, 2011 at 8:03 AM

Nice capture of this vagrant Rich, looks as thought he's enjoying the calm warm water.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 16, 2011 at 11:15 PM

Way to go Rich, interesting to read your blog posting about this bird, wonderful light and I like how the water flows over the scoter, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments