The Big Catch + RP

Gallery: AvianPosted December 6, 20172,851 views9 comments

This merganser caught a fish that was much too large for it to swallow. That didn't stop it though from gamely trying to do so. As it swam around with the fish in its mouth, it attracted the attention of others which I've captured here. Cropped to about 66% of the original and best viewed large. Nikon D500 and 80-400 lens at 1/1000, f/7.1 and ISO 720. Richard

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 6, 2017 at 6:49 PM

Nicely timed, Richard, and good action. I'm confident the gull hung around for some of the spoils. I think you could crop some of the RHS to focus more on the action, but still very good. Thanks for posting.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 6, 2017 at 7:00 PM

I've seen lots of shots of the heron clan trying to do something like this, but never a Merganser, Richard. A very cool shot and you managed to get all the players in nice focus. A very good image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on December 6, 2017 at 7:02 PM

Awesome action shot Richard. Nice job getting all of the birds in good focus and proximity.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on December 6, 2017 at 9:05 PM

Nice action shot Richard. That is indeed a huge fish for the merganser to deal with. Is this fresh or salt water? Is that a crappie? A larger crop might work better, if possible. The whites on the gull appear to be a bit blown, but overall a nice presentation.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 7, 2017 at 9:33 AM

Thanks all for your comments. @ Jim: the fish is a crappie and was shot in fresh water at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal just outside Denver. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 8, 2017 at 5:39 PM

Super action Richard, if the quality holds up I would crop some from the right as suggested. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 8, 2017 at 5:53 PM

Here's a re-post with the suggested crop which is a nice improvement. Thanks for the suggestion. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 8, 2017 at 9:52 PM

These chasing shots are always a lot of fin Richard! I can't believe the size of the fish this Merganser has...wow!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 9, 2017 at 9:37 AM

Hi Richard. The new crop worked very well. A very cool image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments