Two Hooded Mergansers posing like duck decoys.
I had heard these ducks were hiding in a small pond in a local park. After my first visit with a friend, I returned on a better day only to find that they were gone. I gave up all hope of being able to see them again.
Three days ago I decided to drive by the pond to see if they had returned. Lo and behold they were there ! I rushed home to grab my Canon 7D with 500mm L lens and quickly returned. I was so excited that they were back that I jumped out of the car and rushed to the waters edge in…my bright yellow coat.
Well, the Mergansers would have nothing of it and quickly flew away. Only to not return..for DAYS ! I kept checking the pond daily and finally saw they returned yesterday. This time I made sure I wore dark clothing and slowly walked to the edge of the pond.
Sitting on the ground and using my knee as support for the 500mm beast I captured this image. I particularly love the reflections in the water from the morning.
Settings: Aperture priority, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/1000 sec.
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Birds, Nature
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Lovely!
Thank you so much Sally! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. Hope to see you back soon. Bella
Wonderful captured… 🙂
Ducks for Drake are always a great thing.
Gorgeous! I am glad you were able to get this shot. I love the reflections too 🙂
It has been a fun week birding. I’m off to Florida next week for personal business. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some birding done there too. When I get back…back to reality.
Posing like decoys, thats a good one, Emily. And the photo is a good one too.
They were mumbling to each other – think she notices us? Maybe if we don’t move she’ll think we’re fake…
Tremendous photo of the very attractive couple in a wonderful setting! Light was killer on this Em!
Thank you so much Phil ! We actually finally had a sunny day. Had a huge birding day today with discovering 6 duck varities. FUN !
Good for you that sounds great. Seeing new birds is always fun for sure.
Nice you got a sunny day, it’s been (unusually) two straight days of rain here so I have not even been out on patrol. Supposed to be sunny here tomorrow and sunny and 60 by Sat.
Very pretty. Love their reflections in the water.
Thank you so much. It was a wonderful moment wasn’t it?
With their reflections, you ended up having four ducks. How can you tell which one is X from Y? (male/female?
The boy is always the really colorful one. The girl is always dull to help her hide in the surroundings.
How beautiful, Emily. Love your photos for this year, and we still have so many to go. YAY!! 😀
HAHA ! And the pressure’s on… LOL ! Actually I’m having fun with this project, just hope I can sustain it for a full year.
Beautiful shots!!!
Thank you so much Rexlin.
That’s an awesome shot!
Thank you! the more I look at it, the more I like it.
Lovely with the water reflection. You just keep getting better!
Nice colors. Nice reflections. Nicely done.
Thank you so much Tom!
I will have to remember that if I ever photograph birds. Lovely image Emily.