Marvelous Merganser

Gallery: AvianPosted February 18, 20182,215 views7 comments

A male Merganser in calm ocean water. I was sitting on the beach in my snowsuit and it must have thought I was just another boulder because it paddled by fairly close without showing any sign of alarm or nervousness. The light was late and poor but that actually helped get a more detail in the dark black feathers.

Sony a6500, FE 100-400 GSM @ 400 mm, ISO-400, f/8.0, 1/250.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 18, 2018 at 10:32 PM

This is a fine look at the Merganser, Gary, and well framed. Nice to get detail in the blacks and the whites in one frame.

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on February 18, 2018 at 10:36 PM

The large version has incredible detail in the blacks Gary. You also got great detail in the whites. I really love the little droplets all over him too. Can't get much better than this one. By the Way, congratulations on Gallery of the Month selection too, well deserved.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 19, 2018 at 12:17 PM

I love the water on this one, Gary. the bird is excellent as well with great feather detail. You might look at bringing the blacks inthe head up just a very tiny bit, but I'm not sure it would be any better as it looks pretty good in the larger version.

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on February 19, 2018 at 2:47 PM

Terrific detail in the bird and wonderful water quality especially surrounding the bird. On my monitor I find this a tiny bit dark but it looks like you had overcast conditions for photography. I like the way you framed the image. And congrats on the GOTM...

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on February 20, 2018 at 8:13 PM

Tack sharp and I like the water droplets on the bird. I like the pose and the movement of the water as the merganser is swimming though the calm ocean. One thought would be selective shadow removal on the head to bring out the almost iridescent green on the male common merganser.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Genny K. on February 22, 2018 at 2:45 AM

Wow, great detail in this. That calm water gives a great reflection. Nice one.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 22, 2018 at 10:26 PM

Excellent detail and exposure here Gary, just wish for a bit more of a turn toward the camera. devil

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