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Male Eider Duck, Scotland

For me, the Ythan Estuary at Newburgh just north of Aberdeen is one of the best places in Scotland to photograph birds.  In the Autumn and Spring there are large flocks of geese, ducks and waders giving plenty of opportunity for flight photography.  Whilst the areas of gorse and open fields in the vicinity of the golf course on the west side hold large numbers of Skylarks, Linnets, Yellowhammers, Warblers and Stonechats which can be photographed from car window drinking or bathing in small ponds.  I have noticed that at low tide the Eider Ducks fly up the estuary and I positioned myself on the west side one afternoon at low tide and had plenty of photographic opportunities.

Canon EOS-1D Mark 2, Canon 500mm.  ISO 200ASA, 1/3200th at F5.0.  Evaluative meter reading.  Aperture priority, Servo AI autofocus.  RAW file. White balance auto.  Full frame image.  Minor PS adjustments to levels, USM and saturation.