Today’s post features a few images from 2009, captured from a kayak while paddling around a local, Missouri Conservation Area. Hooded Mergansers, commonly called “Hoodies”, are such interesting looking birds. In this first image, a drake (male) is displaying, with his crest raised:
In the next two images, a hen (female) has joined him as he swims around the pools of water:
Unfortunately, they don’t seem to stay here during the summer, so I only get to enjoy them in the spring and fall migrations.
Photographic Equipment Used:
- Canon 1D Mark 3 body
- Canon EF 100mm-400mm, f/4.5-f/5.6 IS lens, with Canon 1.4x TC, shot at 540mm (all photos)
- Handheld, with IS “On”, from a kayak
- ISO 200 (top photo) and 400 (bottom 2 photos)
- Aperture f/8 (top photo) and f/11 (bottom 2 photos)
- Shutter 1/640 sec. (top photo) and 1/125 sec. (bottom 2 photos)