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Lesser Scaup
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Lesser Scaup

by Rick Turner

Gallery: AvianPosted December 7, 2012159 views6 comments
This male Lesser Scaup took a close up interest in me this morning. The fall reflections in the water made for a pastoral background.

Resting on Lakeside in Highland Park, Texas during migration.

Sony a77
70-400 G Sony f4.5 zoom
tripod
ISO 400
F 5.6
1/125 sec
Full image

C&C welcomed :wavey:

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all :jump:

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 7, 2012 at 12:27 PM
This is not a Ring-necked Duck; it is a scaup (a close relative that often hangs out with the ring-necks). I don't know which (Greater or Lesser) is more likely where you shot this and I have a hard time judging the width of the black "nail" on the tip of the bill that helps differentiate the two species.

I like the image as posted - the color on the water gives this a nice feel.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on December 7, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Thanks Richard and I will rename this bird accordingly.

It is great to learn from those who are in the know and comments appreciated. Four years ago I recognized about half a dozen bird species.
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on December 7, 2012 at 12:54 PM
This is a closer look at the bill. The lesser has a black grey bill and the greater a blue grey bill.

Learn something every day. :eek:
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on December 7, 2012 at 2:05 PM
An excellent picture as is. You may get some chatter from the low angle folks, and they do have a point, but you can't always get a low angle. This is fine for detail and reflection. The water is gorgeous!
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 7, 2012 at 6:29 PM
Very nice! Looks like he is floating on a pool of molten copper. Both are nice but I like the first post better.
Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 8, 2012 at 4:03 PM
Lovely image Rick-good detail and reflection on a simply gorgeous liquid background.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments