There's an old saying that describes the quality of the underfeathers of this sea duck, and it's this: as soft as Eider down. This means that a garment made of such feathers, be it a parka or a quilt, is both a joy and comfort to have around. But in the case of a photo I attempted to capture of a group of male Common Eiders working the coast, it is beginning to be obvious that it means something else. This image is simply too soft, and I'm afraid that it's a sign... a depressing sign... that I'm no longer able to be the steady-hands-bearer of the big and heavy Sigma supertelephoto. I guess the realization of today's truth is only temporary, but hey, I can't be sure. But it turns out that it's something less than cause for tears, since, I recently learned, my good friend who loaned me the 150-500mm behemoth months ago would like it back. While no longer having access to such a wonderful photographic tool means that close-up bird photography is going to be difficult, if not impossible, it would now appear that it wasn't going to be possible anyway. Post surgery, my hands and arms are no longer rock steady, so it looks like I'm going to have to come up with a new alternative... a lighter alternative... in the near future.