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Brian McAllister | all galleries >> Galleries >> Birds > Playing Hard To Get
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27-JAN-2007

Playing Hard To Get

(Please view original size)

I don't know what everyone else thinks, but to me these gals sure seem to spook easily.
I waited on the brush covered river bank for 45 minutes, waiting for these three to finally come my way.
Twice they flew off entirely and then came back.
Finally they got close enough to take a few snaps.
Best I could do with the 200mm.

Latin: Mergus merganser americanus
Average length: M 25.5", F 22.9
Average weight: M 3.64 lbs., F 2.73 lbs.

Male common mergansers have a greenish-black crested head and upper neck.
The lower neck, breast, and underparts are creamy-white with a variable pink wash.
They have black backs and upperwing coverts with white scapulars.
The bill is red with a blackish culmen and nail.
The legs and feet are deep red.

Female common mergansers have a tufted red-brown head that is clearly defined from the lower neck by a clear whitish chin.
The back and sides are silver-gray and the breast and belly are white.
The bill is red with a blackish culmen and nail. The legs and feet are deep red.


other sizes: small medium large original auto
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pkocinski03-Mar-2008 02:12
Yes Mergansers spook easy. Great capture.
Simon Chandler23-Feb-2008 04:56
So cute. Great composition. v
Greg Harp31-Jan-2008 02:03
Wow! Great shot. V
lou_rozensteins29-Jan-2008 23:16
Nicely done! The wait was worth it.
laine8229-Jan-2008 20:41
Patience is a virtue so they say...yours paid off, Brian.
Marco Valk29-Jan-2008 17:45
very nice shot
Guest 29-Jan-2008 14:39
I've played this game and lost. They are a tough subject. Nice work
Nestor Derkach29-Jan-2008 14:34
Excellent image,glad I went to original.
Nice exposure and detail.
Great reflection.
Vote
Guy Dube29-Jan-2008 13:50
Waiting a while before to get the right picture, this is the price to pay Brian. Sometimes some photographs are waiting days to get the right one. A very nice shot Brian! V
Vince29-Jan-2008 13:03
Your patience is well rewarded with this find shot. Fantastic image. Vote.
Guest 29-Jan-2008 07:38
:)...funny caption.
i see you have a new toy.
shatterbug29-Jan-2008 06:45
Patience well rewarded...great capture!
Debbie Blackburn Beierle29-Jan-2008 06:26
Excellent detail and lighting! Yes, I agree that they spook easily. They are tough to get a good picture of and you nailed 3 of them!! Nice work!!