Thursday, May 7, 2009

Herons divided, and a big dipper


Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta, above and under) and Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia) present no ID problems when seen together. But when they've all been away for some months and return as isolated birds doubts can creep in.
Size apart, two differences are the extreme angularity of the Great's neck and the gape, extending behind the eye (whereas it stops under Intermediate eye, below).
No problem in Tyto last few days. Both species dotted about the lagoons, competing for the spoils as two dry weeks herald good times among previuosly flooded grasses and reeds.    

Pacific Heron (Ardea pacifica) and equally shy White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) also popping in most days, though less likely to stay once disturbed.


Also standing out, male Black-necked Stork (Phippiorhynchuse asiaticus) taking up one of several great gulps of water. As one of the stars on show, this must be the Big Dipper!

Modem fixed for now. No thanks to Telstra help desk. Old trick. Unplug. Wrap. Cool for 24 hours in fridge. Hey presto! 

4 comments:

mick said...

Great photos and its easy to ID the two egrets when seen like that - but definitely not so easy when I see the Great regularly but not the Intermediate.

PSYL said...

That Black-necked Stork is one magnificent creature!!

Andy said...

Mighty fine images!

Tyto Tony said...

Thanks all. Sorry, bit late replying to comments as modem trials continue.

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