Sunday, October 25, 2009

Striated Heron heads highlights


Did a quick tour of the beaches and other wetland spots today. A few more waders showing out, but Striated (Mangrove) Heron (Butorides striata) near Dungeness boat ramp the standout. Couldn't get through the mangroves for any low angle shots.


Not about to fling myself upon the sand and mud at Taylors Beach for a better look at this Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) struggling to swallow a much larger than usual catch. After more than 30 tries the fish went down.


Didn't quite get this Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) in sharp focus, though the feet almost make the grade.


And Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) flashed by with wing nicely lit. Pity about the head.


Finally, I'll sneak in this Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), a holdout from earlier in the week at a private inland treatment pond area, but often seen at the beaches.


3 comments:

mick said...

The Heron is definitely the standout. They are so hard to get close to. I like the Greenshank too - beautiful plumage detail.

Denis Wilson said...

Hi Tony.
.
It should be re-named the greedy-shank!
Great series of images, Tony.
.
Cheers
Denis

Tyto Tony said...

Thanks Mick and Denis.

Head up for dragonfly, head off for fish head . . .

One moment it's dragonfly trying to dance on White-bellied Sea-Eagle's head, the next it's all go for fisher's discarded fis...