Red Breasted Merganser

[Jody Melanson]

http://jmelanson.smugmug.com/photos/272997209_v4ti8-O.jpg

Model = Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
Exposure Time = 1/2000"
F Number = F8
Exposure Program = Manual
ISO Speed Ratings = 400
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Spot
Flash = Off
Focal Length = 400mm
Color Space = sRGB
Exposure Mode = Manual exposure
Handheld using Bushhawk

We finally had a nice Sunny day this past Saturday. So we went down to a local area to do some flight captures. Had a great day filling cards. We were quite impressed how many different species there were present. The birds that came down from the North for the winter haven't left yet and the ones that headed South are returning. We saw:

Red Breasted Mergansers
Common Mergansers
Coots
Lesser Scaups
Buffleheads
American Wigeons
Mallards
Black Ducks
Canada Goose
Mute Swans
Trumpeter Swans
Harlequin Ducks (a first for me)
1 Ring Necked Duck (another first for me)
Coopers Hawk
Red Tail Hawk
House Sparrows
Brown Headed Cowbirds
Red Wing Blackbirds
Longtailed Ducks
Eared Grebes
Pied Billed Grebes
Horned Grebes
Ring Billed Gulls
Herring Gulls
Redheads

[Steve Ashton]

Shall we just say WOW!!!! I would not even attempt to fault this.

[Steve Maxson]

Very cool, Jody! No nits from me. This is the nicest RBM flight picture I've seen.

[Fabs Forns]

This is outstanding, J Light, exposure, pose, sharpness and background come together, Jody, congratulations!

[Stephen Stephen]

Very nice Jody. I like the slight bank and the colours are wonderful.

[Dave Phillips]

another sweet one....bravo Sir

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Jody,

Very nice wings position as the sun lit every single detail under the wings.

[Arthur Morris]

Just hate to see this but this is the very best flight image of this species that I have ever seen. For all the reasons mentioned above. Congrats.

and later and love, artie

ps: Getting the head green and the woods in the BKGR was tan-fastic!

[Philip Pietri]

Wow! Perfect timing, perfect pose and perfect exposure. Excellent as posted.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Congratulations Jody. Another vote for wow !!! Really love the feeling of speed and the wing positions in this capture !