Water waders & hunters ( to March 2020)

This first of 2020 activity focuses on some regulars down and around Ballina. With one exception, the birds in this post offer several photos from respective outings that allow excellent portraits within the watery environments in which we exist. Many of these photos speak for themselves in terms of the unique features each bird offers ... in turn they showcase the rewards of patience and noticing rather than just walking or driving without heed to what is around.

Reminder that clicking on a photo will enable a slide show that you can take to full screen and enjoy the photos that little bit more!

The first set was spotted by my eagle-eyed wife while we were driving along Teven Road. I have had some wonderful encounters so far with the black-necked stork (jabiru) but this was the first with young ones ... and two to boot! My wife calls them "majestic" and it is hard to argue with that! Fascinating to see the much more sooty plummage of youth, but still the striking yellow eyes of the female are evident. The setting here on the bank of the swamp adds to the charm of this experience.

Another common encounter with a darter by the wall in Ballina. A bit different this time perched on driftwood over the water. The first photo really highlighting the sleek lines, clear eyes and sharp beak. Just a lot smaller than the stork! The second photo shows they need to preen to keep them in good shape to slick through the water 😌 ... and, of course, my favoutite flexible neck feature for this bird is accentuated!

Yes, speaking of common ... the white ibis. This day with the beautifully calm & cyrstal clear waters of Shaws Bay it seems the raw beauty of this bird shines forth. The pose disturbing the reflection in the first photo; the range of fantastic textures providing the scene for the three ibis wading in the second; and the snapshot in time of the foraging action in the third as the receding water exposes the reeds. There is MUCH to take in ... imagine the power of our eyesight as we focus in and out when we choose to take it all in, or pick out something that does not seem to fit! Oh, what we take for granted!!

Here is my "single" for this post - the sleek and gorgeously understated white-faced heron as it wades in the same still, clear waters described above. I love the subtle shades & stealth of this bird.

The final series for this post is my all time favourite in this environment, the sacred kingfisher. 

Rarely do they let me down without a sighting on a walk along the wall. This visit produced a great example of co-existence (with the willy wagtail) and clear examples (as pointed out in earlier posts) of the "tell" on the ricks for where birds are likely to appear (not just this species). 

It was a treat to get both kingfishers in the first photo and it also provides an excellent context to sense just how small these birds are - the zoomed in shots belie this size but show-off the magnificent hues and strength of their vision and beaks (the profile of the much larger member of this family, the kookaburra, is very obvious); the following four individual photos of the kingfishers were chosen for inclusion because each illustrates subtle variations between birds that allow individuals to be identified and distinguished. Enjoy.