January 30th 2012
A drake Smew at Onuma 3 years ago today. Normally very shy I surprised this one (it was with a female) and he was so unsure what to do he didn't fly off for a few seconds allowing me to take this close up shot (only very slight cropping). Not perfect but much better than my recent efforts with this species.................just a shame it was so dark.
At least you saw him and got a photo. There was a male Smew reported in South Donegal and although we looked for it last weekend, NOTHING!
ReplyDeleteI only ever saw one in the UK, a female 28 years ago on a reservoir near Bolton!!!!!!
DeleteIt's a special-looking duck and thanks for sharing it. I'll be hoping you get another chance in better lighting!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping too.........................
DeleteIt would be great to see one in breeding plumage like this...both that I've seen in HK were immatures/female.
ReplyDeleteI find pied birds are great to look at......................but often tricky to photograph.
DeleteGreat shot, Stu. I used to see this species at least once every winter in Niigata but can't say I've seen any for the last three years.
ReplyDeleteThis one was unusual in that it wasn't miles away................
DeleteI would truly love to see a male Smew. The closest I have ever come was a juvenile male that showed up in Oshawa harbour east of Toronto and stayed for about two days. That is an extreme rarity for here.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea they were so rare there..................
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