mergus merganser

Male Goosander

Gooseander Chick

Too bad it was such a grey day. No catchlight, so she looks nearly eye-less :( Still ... not every day I get such close shots of the Goosanders. They tend to be more camera-shy.

After spending time on the river shore this female merganser took off downriver

I am not sure if this is going to work!

From the hairstyle (which I think is called high volume with temple fade) to the neatly edged primaries, to the coverts arced like an elegantly draped preppy sweater from the 80's, you just know this guy has a flair for fashion.

Female common merganser facing the wind, not the best day for hairstyle.

Adult female

but at least the water is lovely, the bird is in focus, and personally I find that whimsical expression priceless (nudge nudge, wink wink).

The Goosanders at this spot were shy, saw us before we saw them and were quick to take off. Too bad I didn't have my camera set for better DOF, but I do love the water on this one - the river he's swimming through and the droplets on his back and tail. The shallow DOF works there, as it seems...

Goosanders

Very misty day

Female Goosander giving the camera a toothy grin. I may share another shot or two of her later.

Taken a while back in March 2020.

Harle bièvre - Mergus merganser - Goosander

goosander

I got to close to this Merganser, so off it went. They are big bird, so they run on the water until the get airborne.