The reluctant one-Hooded Merganser


Posted by AlexC on Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:18 am

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Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

I am sure they have been here but a few weeks, The female is always hanging around this male, I suspect they are an item since they shadow each others move!!, Not a very approachable bird, even less so than Blue Winged Teals and the Crazy Ringed neck Duck!!, Stayed mostly in the shadows and this is the best I could do!!
D1x, Raw, Lens=400mm afs-f/2.8 + 2X, FL=800mm, Manual metering, 1/1000sec SS-f/?, ISO=400, Flash in high speed mode with Better beamer!!
Any comments and or reposts are always welcome!!!

PS:
The image has been rotated to comply with all request for the same, It's one thing when Sandy nit picks me, but when the Entemeister also point this out it's time to rotate!! :cry:
[b]Alex Calzadilla[/b]
[b]Miami, Florida[/b]
[b]NSN-0024[/b]
"At the feast of ego everyone leaves hungry." - Bentley's House of Coffee and Tea, Tucson, AZ


Last edited by AlexC on Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.

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by fredcor on Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:41 am
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Alex, this is a great image nevertheless. All the detail is present and the dark surroundings enhance the bird beautifully.

I find them quite unapproachable in Ontario as well. Earlier this year for a period of about 3 weeks, there was a Hooded male and a female Golden Eye in constant pairing off. Quite confusing, eh!

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by Bill Whala on Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:15 am
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Excellent shot, Alex. The reflection steals the show. :D
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by LHays on Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:22 am
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Alex
This is just beautiful. A duck I wish I could get within a mile of to shoot. Perfect reflection and details....with another magic eye. You certainly had a "Super Sunday" with all the great ducks!!!!
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by BrianS on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:04 am
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Initially I wasn't a fan of the dark BG but on looking at this post a few more times it kinda gre on me -- I like it.
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by David Jernigan on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:13 am
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Love these guys, nice shot.


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by AlexC on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:19 am
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BrianS wrote:
Initially I wasn't a fan of the dark BG but on looking at this post a few more times it kinda gre on me
Brian, when the subject is properly lit, a dark BG is a heaven sent, on this post the lighting is not perfect and the flash provided most of the light, would have loved a touch of back-lighting, it could have provided the rim lighting to truly delineate his outline, a nice colorful water reflection is another option that is very much desirable as well!!, Thanks for looking!!!
[b]Alex Calzadilla[/b]
[b]Miami, Florida[/b]
[b]NSN-0024[/b]
"At the feast of ego everyone leaves hungry." - Bentley's House of Coffee and Tea, Tucson, AZ
 

by Jim Urbach on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:21 am
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Alex,

Super image. The reflection is great. My schedule may permit a run down to your backyard next week.

Jim
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by Alan Melle on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:21 am
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Very nice! Hoping to see some of these guys around here in the next few weeks.
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by Sandy Mossberg on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:25 am
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Sweet shot, Alex. Nice crest. A line from tip of bill to tip of reflected bill indicates you need mild CCW rotation. How's that for being picky?
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by DC on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:28 am
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Gorgeous shot Alex, love that reflection.

If I was very picky......it needs a slight CCW rotation :)
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by AlexC on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:34 am
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Dave wrote:
If I was very picky......it needs a slight CCW rotation
Dave, I always have to leave something amiss for Sandy to pick at, it's my way of keeping track of his ever curious intellect!!! :wink: , Thanks for looking!!!
[b]Alex Calzadilla[/b]
[b]Miami, Florida[/b]
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by E.J. Peiker on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:47 am
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Definitely a tough guy to get close to - kind of like Bufflehead - but Ring-neck??? I've never met a Ring-neck that was shy out here :)

I love the water here. A CCW rotation to line the reflected eye up vertically with the primary eye would take it over the top.
 

by Carol Clarke on Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:00 am
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Wonderful shot Alex and I love dark BG's. This is a beauty!! 8)
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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:55 pm
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Alex,

This is an excellent shot. You did very well to get this close to this guy.
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by Jill on Fri Dec 19, 2003 2:28 pm
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Alex, Now that he's in perfect alignment with the stars, he's a top duck for sure!!! Hopeful he and the Mrs. stay for the winter, MB. It was a Super Sunday indeed...I love this image!!! :D :D
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by Bob Boner on Fri Dec 19, 2003 2:47 pm
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Nice image! I especially like the reflection and the lovely green colors in the water. Thanks for sharing.
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by christoforos on Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:52 pm
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Great image! I like the reflection very much.
 

by Laura Stiefel on Sat Dec 20, 2003 12:38 am
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Very nice Alex! I'm loving these darker than usual ducks photos. :)
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by Mike Wilson on Sat Dec 20, 2003 5:08 am
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Sweet one Al. Like the dark bg and how the light is striking it. Very subtle and quite beautiful.
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