Just a simple photo of an immature Common Merganser today. I took this image of the merganser on the Bear River almost two years ago on a bright, sunny morning.
Immature Common Merganser shaking off water on the Bear River – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The immature merganser had come up from a dive and was shaking off the cold water when I photographed it.
I had had a kind of slow morning with birds on the auto tour loop, which made me especially happy to find this Common Merganser. That winter and the next, I found quite a lot of Common Mergansers at the refuge and close to home.
This winter? Not so much. It has been a very strange winter, here in the lower elevations of northern Utah.
Spring is less than a week away now. Maybe I will get to see and photograph a few more Common Mergansers before they head to their breeding grounds. I won’t hold my breath though!
Later this week, the weather is supposed to get sunnier. I sure hope so. I’m itching to get back out into the field.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Common Merganser photos plus facts and information about this species.
Fun pic. I love the composition and Merganser’s reflection you captured. Thanks Mia.
Mergansers are some of my favorite ducks. Last year was a treat to see so many in norther Utah. I got my fix in southern Utah this year.