Different day, same bird

I am often asked why I keep going back to the same location to photograph the same birds. The short answer is that there is always a better (or at least different) photograph to be taken. This is a Surf Scoter, a diving duck that comes to San Diego in the winter. Not common, but there are a few predictable locations where they can be seen. This is an image of a male, taken just before sunrise. I have been going this spot a number of times over the recent past. If I arrive while it is still dark and get set up, the birds will often come quite close. If I do not arrive before sunrise, they stay far away. Processed in PS, about 50% crop, bird brightened moderately.