ML395531311

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Sunlight is coming in from the south east as I am looking at the duck from my position to the north. The photo has been strongly cropped. The photo shows the left wing raised straight up and although it may not be a field mark the white patch at the base of the wing is shown in other flight photos that can be seen in in ebird. The sloping forehead that is characteristic of this species is apparent in the photo.

Observation details

I was parked near the west end of the parking lot for the boat ramp and had been scanning ducks and gulls in the bay and on the shoreline for several minutes, About 10:55 I noticed a lone duck about 100 feet out drifting down the tailrace channel that had the characteristics of the Common Eider that had been found the previous day by Ron Martin and Corey Ellingson. Realizing I had a chance for good photos I moved my vehicle forward several feet to get clear of trees on my left. I reached for my camera and at that moment the duck took flighjt. As it flew to the left I had not time to focus but took five flight shots before the tree to my left blocked my view and I lost track of it. The best of the photos is attached. Soon after Terry Pflugrad came up ti me and as it turns out he had seen what I had seen but had been able to follow the flight for longer than I did We agree that it had the head/bill profile of Common Eider.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

125

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

1427 pixels x 1142 pixels

Original file size

413.74 KB