Tags
Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, great blue heron, hooded merganser, northern pintail, photography, postaday
He was standing on a bank of the marshes, his back turned to me, his face to the water. I stopped to take his picture, and as I aimed my camera at him, he turned around, a severe look on his face.
So I drove on. The tide was falling, and water from the marshes was pouring out toward the ocean. At one of the outlets, I found a Hooded Merganser swimming by himself, coming very close to where I was, as if he had not noticed me. This was the closest I had ever been to these usually shy ducks.
There were female Hooded Mergansers in the vicinity, but they were paired with other males. None paid any attention to our handsome bachelor!
I moved on to another pond and saw a pair of Northern Pintails busy in their favorite pursuit: dabbling in shallow water to find plants and crustaceans to eat.
After a while, they paused and struck a classic pose, with water still dripping from the male’s bill.
Nick Hunter said:
Beautiful waterfowl series. Hoodies in close are a photographer’s dream. Nice work Hien, and thanks for the show!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Nick! Glad you like the photos.
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inesephoto said:
Fantastic shots! The heron is some character 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Inese. He reminds me of some stern teacher turning around to “calm” a rowdy bunch of students.
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inesephoto said:
Yes, they have that mentor -ish look 🙂
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Dalo 2013 said:
While the Great Blue Heron is a majestic bird and Pintails one of the ducks I admire, the Hooded Mergansers are a sight to see ~ great shots.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Randall. Every winter, I look forward to seeing the Hooded Mergansers. They seem to enliven the drab brown colors of the landscape and of most of the ducks and geese.
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DG MARYOGA said:
I feel guilty I didn’t say anything about the charming and very busy Pintails.They are wonderful water birds as well 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Those Pintails are all business, Doda, but I am sure they appreciate your comments, as much as I do. 🙂
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DG MARYOGA said:
Thank you Hien!I have learnt so much about all those wonderful birds you share with us 🙂
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DG MARYOGA said:
Wonderful birds and photos,Hien!The Great Blue Heron had decided to avoid you,I think you disturbed his contemplative mood,he looks really serious and annoyed.As for the Male Hooded Merganser,he is such a handsome young man,but very unlucky with the girls’ tastes.Beautiful bird,your photos clearly show its striking features.
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neihtn2012 said:
Ha, ha! You are so right, Doda. I’m glad you like the photos.
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DG MARYOGA said:
I always do and I also enjoy your accompanying illustrations 🙂
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elleturner4 said:
I hope Mr. Blue Heron caught his fish!! That hooded merganser is a fine bird. Great photos 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
He is usually a very good fisherman. Thank you for stopping by Elle!
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Indah Susanti said:
I have never seen Male hooded merganser duck before – he is beautiful!!
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neihtn2012 said:
Those male Hooded Mergansers are very eye-catching and stand out from the rest of the ducks around them. Thank you for commenting, Indah.
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Victor Rakmil said:
Great photos, great post.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Victor!
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T Ibara Photo said:
I love them all! And the heron looks so majestic 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Takami! That heron was indeed regal.
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quietsolopursuits said:
All of these are excellent! I love the hooded merganser, they are usually very difficult to get close enough to be able to shoot such great photos.
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neihtn2012 said:
I was very lucky. The Merganser was so focused on whatever was in the marshes that he did not see me and came at times within 20 ft of where I was.
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Helen C said:
Lovely photos, Hien. I thought it was a snowing day. I am glad it’s not. 😉
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neihtn2012 said:
A wee bit snow fell, but it barely covered the ground before being blown away. Thanks Helen.
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Dymoon said:
the pictures are so “real” I could feel myself there… wonderful captures.
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de Wets Wild said:
Absolutely lovely photographs of beautiful creatures, Hien!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you so much Dries!
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nhi said:
Crystal clear photos.
Blue Heron-Blue Ribbon.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Anh Nhi.
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Amy said:
What a great treat to see these bird captures! I have never seen Hooded Merganser before… Thank you so much for sharing, Hien. 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Amy. Now you know what a Hooded Merganser looks like.
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kiaman2012/Greg said:
Outstanding capture and image!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Greg!
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kiaman2012/Greg said:
My pleasure!
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blondie63 said:
I love your bird photos
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neihtn2012 said:
I’m glad you do. Thank you!
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