Great Egret watching Mallards and Hooded and Common Mergansers (composite) – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On the Winter Solstice I found quite a few birds in the marshes, wetlands, and along the riverbank at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. After going around the auto tour loop twice it was time to head back towards the interstate to head home. Just east of the start and end of the loop I found a lingering American White Pelican swimming with a Red-breasted Merganser and slightly east of those two birds I spotted a Great Egret on the bank of the Bear River.
I didn’t get to the Great Egret before it took off from the bank and my flight shots of the egret were soft because the engine of the mobile blind I was in was still running. I thought my opportunity with the Great Egret was a loss until I saw it land on the riverbank not too far away.
The Great Egret landed where I had views of Hooded and Common Mergansers and three Mallards resting on the ice on the Bear River. Even though all of the birds were across the river with my 500mm and the 1.4x teleconverter attached I couldn’t fit all of the birds in the frame so I joined two images together for this composite to show the whole scene in one photo.
I could have taken my teleconverter off and gotten them all in one frame without the need to join them in post processing but I didn’t want to take the time to do that. It only takes me a little bit of extra time to stitch the images together.
What I really liked about this photo of the egret, mallards, and mergansers was having four different species of birds in the photo plus the nice view of the wintry habitat I found them in. The ice, snow, and open water also show the winter conditions that these birds survive and thrive in.
Every time I am in the field I realize just how amazing birds are.
Life is good.
Mia
Mallards and Great Egrets can be found at the refuge year round. The Hooded and Common Mergansers are usually only found at the refuge in the fall, winter, and early spring.
Click here to see more of my Great Egret photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see my swans, geese, and ducks photo galleries.
My first comment poofed into the internet wasteland. 😉 I’ll try again. I really like the extra wide shot you were able to produce here. The varying heights of the subjects and their “ground” makes this a very interesting shot. The egret reminds me of doing lunch duty and watching the little ducklings run around.
Wonderful shot — I really like the extra widescreen view! 🙂
I really like this photo. It is just what it is at BRMBR!
They are amazing. And just at the moment I am a little jealous of those wintry conditions – while acknowledging just how much tougher it is on the birds.
Hi sweetie! I could not find the Egret on the post on face book! What a great photo! Still no snow here in Virginia! Bitter cold! It is warmer with snow! Tell all on your Blog Happy Holidays!