Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Supermama


COMMON MERGANSERS (MERGUS MERGANSER), GREEN, MICHIGAN, JUNE 23, 2009

Pentax K10D
Sigma APO 135-400 at 400mm
1/2000 sec. f8
ISO 400

The female merganser must be either a saint or a sucker. When irresponsible members of her species dump their eggs in her nest -- this, the bird books say, happens often -- she'll happily brood and raise all the merganserlings herself. She'll also adopt orphans. This one had 16 count 'em 16 babies in her wake on Lake Superior this morning.

1 comment:

Diva Donna said...

Awww, they're adorable!
My home is also in IL, but my heart is in the U.P.!