The older I get the more I root for the underdog and this merganser has been near the top of my underdog list for three years now.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Three winters ago (2-16-13) I photographed this one-footed Common Merganser at Willow Pond near my home (I’ve posted other images of this bird but this one is new to my blog). Its left foot was missing and I suspect it was lost to fishing line (this birds companion was entangled in line and had a fishing lure in its bill). Attempts were made to capture and help these birds but those attempts were unsuccessful so I assumed that neither bird would survive for long. But I was wrong.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
Almost exactly a year later (2-13-14) I encountered this same merganser (now in adult plumage) at the same pond (I’ve posted this image previously). I’m virtually positive it was the same bird because its left foot was also missing. To think that this bird was able to not only survive but also to migrate to its northern breeding grounds and return tickled me pink. So this winter I’ve checked the pond about three times per week to see if the merganser had returned but I never did spot it and it’s late enough in the season that I probably won’t.
That doesn’t mean that it’s not still out there somewhere, chasing down fish with only one foot for propulsion. I sure hope it’s been doing just that and is now on its way to Canada for another breeding season.
If you missed the full report on this bird, more information and images can be found here.
Ron
PS – Sorry about the delay in posting this morning. Our electricity went out for about an hour and a half – a helluva way to start the day…
Wonderful shots Ron! survival is amazing!
Charlotte
I really hope that it is still flying/hopping about. Surviving against the odds. And I would also really like to entangle careless fishers in their own line and hooks. Tightly.
I’ve been thinking about that bird this morning, EC, so I just went down to the pond thinking it might put in an appearance in honor of this post. Didn’t happen…
Thanks again for insightful photos. Here in the Mid-Columbia we have thousands of geese, in particular, that winter on the wheat and grass lands. I look at birds through new eyes thanks to your photos. Glad Claudia is joining the morning “routine”.
Thank you, Karen. Me too, it’s almost like an early reunion…
I believe you are correct, but not just because of the missing foot. Although I took a double take when you mentioned the two pictures being the same bird, I noticed one major field characteristic that proves you right!
Field Guides show the first spring male looking like a female, but having a black collar at the base of the rufous head and throat that shows up as this bird is flying.
Great shots Ron,and a wonderful example of why field marks matter!!
Good point, Dick. I’m glad to have the reinforcing evidence pointed out. Thank you.
A testament to the tenacity of this bird! I hope they made it.
I have high hopes for the one-footed bird, Arwen. Not so much with the one with the fishing lure in its mouth.
What’s “natural” about getting tangled in a wad of ignorantly disgarded fishing line?..”survival of the least maimed by man” is not even vaguely the same as “survival of the fittest” !!!!!!!!!
Nothing’s natural about it, Patty. That’s why the rescue was attempted.
Dear Ron,
I love to check out your site every morning. Your pictures are amazing! We lived in Joliet, Montana for 12 years and we had a flock of magpies that adopted us. Actually they liked the dog food that we fed them. They were so interesting to watch. We had a shed roof and they would land on it and get into a holding pattern to get the food off of the porch rail. We were shocked to see just how courteous they were. They would wait until the previous one got his/hers and left the rail. Then the next one would land and repeat the process. There was one that must have had a problem because he would grab a bite and do a somersault. I know that some where in the coulee there is a tree full of old dog food. Also there were turkey vultures that we watched. There were 3 of them. I loved to watch them ride the thermals.
We now live between Powell, Wyoming and Cody and we are still observing the birds on a daily basis. We just do not have any pet ones.
Have a great day and thanks for making mine daily! Claudia
“There was one that must have had a problem because he would grab a bite and do a somersault.”
Wow, I’d would love to witness that behavior, Claudia. And photograph it! Thank you, and I hope you’re enjoying Wyoming.
Glad you hot to see “Lefty” again(?), looking otherwise fit and healthy…sure hope he makes it…losing power is a bitch, so is losing heat…we’ve lost heat so many times this miserable winter! Bitter cold nights, poorly insulated house, may just have been too much for size of furnace.
I put a new furnace in a few months ago, Patty but the darned thing still won’t run without flowing electrons…
Sorry you had electricity problems this morning – they always occur at such inopportune times. I’m with you in hoping that this Merganser is okay. I also have a long history of rooting for underdog birds.
Susan, naturally it happened while it was still dark and just before I was ready to post. Sure glad I wasn’t also trying to get ready to go out shooting birds (it’s a cloudy day around here).
Hi Ron – I’m also one of those who likes to root for the underdog. However, since starting to watch eagle nests & tuning in to many wonderful wildlife animals, I’ve come to accept that survival of the fittest is the way to have a species survival. Still doesn’t stop me from cheering for this beautiful bird overcoming the odds!!
“I’ve come to accept that survival of the fittest is the way to have a species survival.”
I couldn’t agree more, Jo Ann. If it’s a “natural event” I say let nature take its course, though it sure can be difficult to watch…