Goldeneye

I had the best opportunity to photograph Goldeneye today.  This is a common winter resident on the River Exe and regularly swims up the river as far as Topsham.  At points the river here is comparatively narrow and with patience I was able to get the closest that I have been able to before. I sat quietly and waited for them to swim closer to me - three in total, although I had been told that there had also been a drake around as well.  Goldeneye are a nice addition to our winter species and I have wanted to get a decent photo for several years. I could do better with luck and even more patience of course.  The male is even more attractive but but both sexes have the same distinctive eye that gives the species the name.