Mergansers Are Back on Lake by Pesch Andreas

Captured during a late autumn afternoon near the Elbe river, this photograph documents the return of mergansers to the local quarry ponds. The photographer patiently observed the birds as they displayed their vibrant, macho behavior in the soft 5 pm light. By utilizing a long focal length, the image achieves an intimate perspective that highlights the intricate details of the waterfowl against the tranquil water. This shot is award-worthy for its successful capture of a fleeting wildlife moment, demonstrating both the photographer's dedication to field observation and a keen eye for natural animal behavior.

Mergansers Are Back on Lake by Pesch Andreas
Sony ILCE1 with FE200-600mm
Exposure 1/800sec @ f/6.3 | ISO 250 | Focal Length 600mm
Copyright Β© Pesch Andreas
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Pesch Andreas

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Magdeburg, Germany, Pesch Andreas rediscovered his lifelong passion for photography after years of focusing on other pursuits. His early experience with black-and-white film in the 1960s laid the foundation for his current dedication to wildlife photography, a craft he refined significantly during the pandemic. Today, he combines technical precision with the patience of a hunter, capturing the natural world with an evolving expertise that continues to grow with every excursion into the wild.

Profile View Full Profile
7.9/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
69/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
3,662 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date February 5, 2023
66.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Magdeburg, Germany

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Pesch Andreas Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (7.7/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
2.0/5 points
408/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
3,662/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.7/5 points
69/500 Submission
Jury Score: 66.0/80
Resonance Score: 7.7/20
Total Award Score: 73.7/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Marcus Trent Human Truth, Documentary & The Decisive Moment Expert Review
You waited in that late autumn chill, didn't you? I can feel the stillness you held while watching those mergansers. It’s not just about the sharp feathers or the light on the water; it’s that quiet, patient intimacy you found in the middle of a Magdeburg afternoon. Because you stayed put, you caught a moment of pure, unscripted life. I’ve spent enough time in the field to know that kind of focus. It’s honest work. Well done.
Victoria Ashby Wildlife, Nature & the Ethics of the Unseen Moment Expert Review
The merganser’s posture here is striking, but I’m left wondering about the approach. At 600mm, you’ve kept your distance, which I respect. It’s a relief to see these birds undisturbed on the Salbker See. I’ve spent enough freezing mornings in blinds to know that capturing such calm requires genuine stillness, not just a long lens. It’s a quiet, honest frame. You didn’t force the moment, and frankly, that’s the only way to earn it.
Catherine Byrne Photographic History, Canon & the Long View Expert Review
The mergansers’ plumage here echoes the crisp, scientific precision of early ornithological plates, yet the water’s bokeh feels like a modern, digital evolution of the soft-focus pictorialism I’ve studied for decades. It’s technically sound, but I’m searching for a sharper narrative edge. Still, that singular, iridescent flash of green on the drake’s head caught me off guardβ€”it’s a genuinely electric moment of color that makes me forget the 600mm compression for a second.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Astrid Halvorsen

The Stillness of Returning

The light in late February often carries a deceptive clarity, a thin, brittle brightness that suggests the thaw is further along than it truly is. It is a pale, silver-edged light that skims across the surface of frozen water, revealing every ripple and imperfection in the ice.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Weight of the Surface

In the study of fluid dynamics, there is a concept known as surface tensionβ€”the elastic-like force that allows a water strider to walk upon a pond without breaking through. It is a fragile equilibrium, a membrane of molecular attraction that holds the world at bay.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

Share your thoughts about this award-winning photograph. Your reviews contribute to the community engagement score.

3 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fishing for A Living by Karthick SaravananFishing for A Living by Karthick Saravanan - Photojournalism, Black and White Photography, Documentary Photography, Photography Awards, Light & Composition UniversityFishing for A Living by Karthick SaravananThe Shopkeepers by Argha Mitra - Street Photography, Documentary Photography, Photojournalism, Photo of the Day, Argha MitraThe Architecture of Belonging