There are Smews out there

Below, the same photo that appeared on my earlier header.  In this photo the mystery is solved.

Smew is probably the bird I wanted to see most on this trip.  So my heart sank when I looked way in the distance through my bins and camera viewfinder. For some reason, I imagined seeing them closer.  Of course, we had excellent looks through the spotting scope. Nevertheless, I did manage photos that will be memorable for me. This is at Inari-Mielikköjärvi lintutorni in Lapland, Finland.

Above and below:  female Smew

Above and next four:  male Smew

Above and two below:  Smew pair

All of the photos are very tightly cropped.  All things considered, I'm pleased with the sighting and with how I was able to rescue the photos.  Not a professional job, but good enough.  The very next day we saw Smews again on a lake much closer and in great light,  As soon as the van parked and the door opened I was dismayed to watch them swim rapidly away.  When they reached the end of the lake they flew.  On my top five list, I put the Smew in the fourth spot.  It's a very appealing little bird.