Red-breasted Mergansers

I first spotted a flock of red-breasted mergansers at Cape Arkona. They were moving rapidly through the water in a chaotic formation, taking turns diving. To me, it looked like the whole group was hunting together. They were too far out for my camera, and—as always happens on vacation—it was the middle of the day, meaning the light was coming straight down from above.

I took these shots a week and a half later at the start of the Nordperd, where the beach becomes harder to access. The time of day was similar, and that harsh overhead light cast heavy shadows on their faces. I was being lazy; I really should have cycled back there in the evening and done some scrambling, but hey… it was a vacation.