Portrait of an alert drake Hooded Merganser – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday started off dreary but later in the afternoon I was able to get out in the field and I had a blast taking photos of a spiffy drake Hooded Merganser for a little while.
Hooded Merganser drake on calm water – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The evening light was beautiful and the drake Hooded Merganser was anything but timid, in fact he appeared to be as bold as the markings on his crested head.
Drake Hooded Merganser in breeding plumage – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The drake was constantly on the move though because of the more aggressive and larger mallards that were nearby and that gave me the opportunity to photograph him floating on the water moving away from me…
Hooded Merganser drake and reflection – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And towards me. I believe this species was poorly named, “Crested Merganser” seems to fit them much better than “Hooded” does.
Hooded Merganser drake close up – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Hooded Merganser came so close to me that there were several times that I opted to take portraits of him which showed fine details in his plumage we might not normally see in full body images.
Drake Hooded Merganser tilting his head – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
But the full body photos showed all of his bold plumage patterns so I was happy when he moved far enough away to capture them all.
Drake Hooded Merganser splash landing – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The mallards caused the drake Hooded Merganser to fly just barely above the water a few times and in this image I was able to photograph him splashing as he skittered across the water in front of me.
Hooded Merganser drake and splashing water – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
At the end of his skid a large bow wave formed in front of the drake. I’m happy I had just enough shutter speed to freeze the water. By this time the sun was low on the horizon and I knew my time with this handsome male Hooded Merganser was about to end.
Smiling Hooded Merganser drake – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I know this Hooded Merganser isn’t “smiling” but it sure looks like he is to me. The thing is, I was the one smiling because of having the chance to photograph him, up close, farther away and in lovely light.
Drake Hooded Merganser with open bill – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I checked the time stamp on my images of this Hooded Merganser and I spent precisely 8 minutes and 24 seconds photographing him and I believe I made the most of that brief period of time.
Drake Hooded Merganser portrait – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Then as the sun started to disappear behind the mountains to the west I had to say goodbye to this cooperative and handsome Hooded Merganser. Photographing him was just so much fun.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Hooded Merganser photos plus facts and information about this species.
Brilliant series. I guess you can say, “the eyes have it.” Every pic is terrific. Thanks Mia.
Great series. I like the picture that looks like he’s leaving a wake as he swims around. I wish we had more water near us, but just desert!
I would love to have your camera for a few minutes to get pictures of the Quails in the backyard. They just blend into the rocks. Have more fun!
I had a lot of fun viewing this series – I can only imagine how much fun you had being there.
Thank you.
Wow, what an excellent series of photos. Especially the last one.
Great shots Mia. You hit a home run with this guy and doing it just before the sun slipped behind the mountains must have had you grinning all the way home.
Excellent series! Beautiful close-ups.