There are Smews out there

Below, the same photo that appears on my title page.

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 the photos.  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 feels churlish now, but Smew would have made the top spot with closer looks and better photos.  It's a great bird.