ML26920231

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

One male, four females. Shaggy crests. Thin red bills. Male with dark breast, and prominent white wing patch. Females with diffuse border between brownish head and pale chin and neck. Numerous photos taken. These five flew in while I was present; heard a loud rush of air off of wings as they made a rapid decent into this lake (from a fairly high elevation of flight). They did not circle the area at all, but rather came straight into the main permanent wetland (as if they knew exactly where they were going). The permanent lake has carp, minnows and other rough fish in it (it's source is the Modesto Irrigation District canal). This is the first time I have seen red-breasted mergansers at this lake. I do not recall if I have ever seen this species on the Refuge or in Stanislaus county.

Technical information

Model

iPhone 5

Lens

iPhone 5 back camera 4.12mm f/2.4

ISO

50

Focal length

4.1 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/2.4

Shutter speed

1/366 sec

Dimensions

3264 pixels x 2448 pixels

Original file size

1.06 MB