Common Eiders in flight, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

At sea, Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway (April 2024)

This image was taken on the Svalbard Spring Cruise trip organised by Natures Images and led by Danny Green. A seven-day cruise was undertaken aboard the small expedition ship MV Freya with the expertise of two guides, Yves Adams and Pieter-Jan D'Hondt.

Status is Near Threatened (recently uprated from Least Concern). Also known as Common Eider. For more information on this bird species see the following links:
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) / Wikipedia
Common Eider / Bird Forum
BirdLife International / Common Eider Somateria mollissima
Common Eider Somateria mollissima / Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

Shooting Time 10:32
Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/2500
Av(Aperture Value) 6.3
Exposure Compensation +1
ISO Speed 500

Latitude 79 52 46.2 N
Longitude 11 31 32.6 E
Altitude -1.90m