I went to the local swamp a few days ago. The sun was shining brightly until I got there and it proceeded to rain for the next hour or more. The Pink-eared Ducks were at their feisty best during the period when it was dark and rainy. The shots aren't good, but I wanted to share them anyway.
..
...
Pity about the light as these shots would be so much fun.
There are four ducks in this shot. I love the one throwing itself into the fray from above.
A little victory dance.
......
The Corellas were playing games with the Pink-eared Ducks by temporarily blocking their access to the nesting trees. But they get bored very easily. This one had had enough fun at a particular dead tree and headed over to join its cronies.
.,
Their feathers are permanently stained from digging around in the damp soil.
Life is one endless game to these birds. I wish I could get some shots of them playing on the swings at the park at the other end of the swamp.
--
A Grey Butcherbird in the rain.
The wonderful Willie Wagtail
...
Grey Teal in the rain.
The sun started to break through. Black Swan on its nest.
Neck stretch
Neck stretch 2
It was funny to watch the movement at the Swan nest. The Swan was constantly on and off its nest. As soon as it hopped off, a pair of Shovelers jumped up onto it and quickly settled - until the Swan returned. The Swan wasn't aggressive with them, it just assertively reclaimed what rightfully belonged to it.
Singing Honeyeater.
It was raining quite heavily and this Pink-eared duck stood for about 10 minutes without moving, gazing down into the hollow tree where it and its mate are preparing a nest.
A sweet little Welcome Swallow.
Last one for now. The sun was shining, the lighting was lovely and the Pink-eared Ducks decided it was time for a nice, long doze.
We've had the second driest winter on record and although there is water in the swamp, it's at the lowest level I've seen it in years. I just hope we get a couple of good "rain events" before the middle spring, otherwise it will dry up a couple of months earlier than usual.
This message was edited Aug 30, 2010 6:25 AM
Wonderful shots Margaret! I love all these birds. Thanks for posting them!
Very nice Margaret! You do great work with a camera...low light or not. The Welcome Swallow look's very handsome!
Oh Marggie, they are lovely!
Great shots, Margaret. I assume that since you referred to it as the "local swamp", you live very close to it. I would be there every day. Since I'm unfamiliar with the migratory behavior in your area, do the species vary/change as the seasons change ? Do you have decent access to the swamp area ? I know Western Australia is an expansive area but it has to be a great birding area. I observed that of the 560 birds recorded nearly 70% breed there. With breeding season near, I would assume activity will pick up in the swamp ? Looking forward to more photos.
What is Denis up to these days ? I see that he will soon be leading a safari to Kenya. And, it's sold out. I'm always at awe when I go to his website. Sorry for all of the questions but that's the way my mind works ........
More awesome photos Margaret! I love those Pink-eared Ducks-their eyes really stand out and that bill is so different. The Corellas must really be fun to watch-they're so cute.
I'm sad to read the swamp is so low on water and I do hope there will be some relief soon.
Gosh Margaret...what great shots and what a wonderful place to visit. I will be watching for the answers to Linths questions!! Your little Welcome Swallow looks very much like our Barn Swallows..fabulous shot!
Hope you keep adding to this thread...more, more, more!!
Thank you all. I thought you'd enjoy the Pink-eared Ducks, Kim. Rose now that the Ospreys are in the process of sitting on egg/s, there won't be much activity there for a few weeks, so I'll go down the swamp more frequently.
Duc, the bill on the Pink-eared Duck is such a strange apparatus, custom designed for sieving small molluscs, crustaceans and other tiny life from the bottom of the lake/swamp. When I get my new teleconverter, I hope I'll be able to get some shots that show the bill in greater detail.
Thanks, Linth. Yes, the swamp is a very easy walk away and is accessible around its perimeter, although on the eastern side, it's choked with bullrushes so there's not much to see there. The local authority and volunteers have spent several years clearing the bullrushes and replanting with native grasses and sedges, but there's still a way to go. Because the swamp dries up during summer, the only birds that are seen there during those loooooooong months are Willie Wagtails, Ravens, Red Wattlebirds, Butcherbirds, Magpies, Magpie Larks, as well as parrots and cockies and others that don't rely on a large expanse of water. All the waterbirds go elsewhere, but they don't migrate as such. They just spend the summer months in other local areas that have permanent water.
Denis is keeping himself very busy. I haven't seen him recently, but I do know he is preparing for the photo safari to Africa.
Wow Margaret, I`m envious of your swamp and the playful playground you get to witness ;). Wonderful pictures.
Hah! You wouldn't be envious in summer time, Burn. Winter and spring see it at its best most years, but this year the water levels are very low.
Here are another couple of shots from two days ago.
The dead tree that a pair of Pink-eared Ducks have nested in for several years is being commandeered by Little Corellas. I t]don't know if their interest is fleeting. I hope so. It would be a real shame if the Ducks were displaced. I don't know if you're going to be able to make out the rusty brown colour on the dead tree, but that's where the Corellas have been chewing. They are fun loving, but boy, are they destructive.
Caught in the act!
Black-winged Stilt whose name is Narcissus.
With its mate.
Straw-necked Ibis
This gum tree was alive with the Corellas, all hanging upside down in clumps of four and even five birds. I only managed one shot of a single bird and have really had to play around with it to make it fit for posting.
Very nice shots Margaret!! The Black-winged Stilt does seem to be admiring his looks.
Lovely shots Margaret! Love those Black-winged Stilts!
