Taken on 12/12/2010
Female. Having failed to see this bird on Saturday despite an 04:00 start I tried again on Sunday. After a moment of panic when I arrived to find the bird had flow down river just ten minutes before I got there (eek!) we relocated it and the two female Goosanders it was consorting with and got close enough for a few record shots. I had to use the 2x Extender to get close enough so please excuse the quality. It is interesting to compare the two species - the Goosander is bigger and more robust, less delicate, especially around the head and neck. The eponymous "scales" on the flanks clinch the ID but even at some distance the bird looked thinner and more delicate than the Goosies. If it was mixing with female RB Mergs it might be more of a challenge.... A lifer bird for Curley, natch.
Equipment
Canon 300mm f2.8 + 2x Extender.
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