Australasian Darters can look quite angular and unattractive to my eye, or they can look stunningly beautiful.
I took this photograph a long time ago and, despite having taken hundreds of photographs of Australasian Darters, it is still my favourite. This is a female darter, her colours are softer and warmer than the males. Darters quite often sit in this pose but don’t often have their feathers fluffed up like this, catching the light and standing out from a fully blurred background. I also like the way her bill is partly open, with the tiny fringe of white feathers visible beneath her gular pouch. You might be able to discern the serrations on her bill which enable her to grip fish so firmly that they are unable to escape.
This week’s post is shorter than usual as I’ve had some surgery on my wrist so am trying to type while one arm is in a sling and the other is sporting a massive bruise from the IV line. I’m not in pain though and hopefully all will be well by next week.
Happy birding, Kim
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Dear Kim, hope you get better soon and I also hope you can see this special message – not too good with all this computer stuff.
All your very special feathered friends and this beautiful Australasian Darter are sending you wishes for a speedy recovery.
Oh I did answer your message Barbara, I’m not sure what happened. I couldn’t see the link you sent as it said it wasn’t available, but thank you for thinking of sending something.
I love that photo with such detail and clarity.
I’m glad you like it Margot, thank you!
Seeing this post today Kim as been busy and tired with participating in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival here in Hobart this weekend. Sorry to hear about your wrist and hope it improves soon. The feathers on the Darter are so lovely and soft and your details regarding the ‘teeth’ on the bill always adds interest to your posts. Take good care of yourself.
Alison
I have just looked up the boat festival – it looks amazing! Years ago I worked for the Shipbuilding Industry Training Centre for a while and saw some of the skill that goes into making a wooden boat. I hope all goes brilliantly for you over the weekend, Kim
What a beautiful picture, so much details and nice colours!
Get well soon!
Thanks so much Paul, for both of your kind comments.
Oh, dear Kim! That means no birding for you for awhile? What did you do to your wrist? Sounds painful. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
I love Australasian Darters! Your photo of the female is gorgeous. Have always liked this one because of the softness of the feathers. Hubby and I took a trip north last year where I took many photos of a female drying her wings and preening while occasionally turning to check on me. I was a long way away as I had a long lens. Still haven’t edited them or posted but will have to get around to sharing. This last week we took another trip south and I found a male set against a very white background as it was cloudy. Will post it soon.
Get better soon, Kim. xx
Please tag me when you share your pictures, they sound lovely. I have heaps of shots of a youngster calling that show some remarkable details. I can still go birding, and have just refilled the birdbaths and can see some honeyeaters and fantails on their way to the water. Thanks for your kind wishes about my wrist, Kim xo