eiders

i have a blip buddy who takes phenomenal bird photos.  in the last week, he posted two beautiful shots of eiders.  singing eider and eider duck male.  i have never seen an eider anywhere near that close before.  eiders in maine float in rafts just out of reach of my lens and binoculars.  

i don't know why, but the raft by the bridge was much closer to shore today.  perhaps it was the cold.  finally - i got an (almost) clear shot of the group.  imagine this group of birds, times ten, add the  cacophony of nonstop chatter and you have a raft of eiders.  i was thrilled to see them so close.  almost makes me wish for more cold weather.  on second thought...