I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bird bathing so vigorously that the sparkling spray covered such a wide area.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
The bathing beauty image was captured at Blackburn Lake, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The duck ducked, that’s not a phrase I ever thought I’d write! Each bout of bathing started with the bird ducking beneath the water before raising itself and vigorously shaking its wings as it bobbed up and down.
Birds bathe to wash their feathers and to help rid themselves of parasites, which seems a bit boring when the image looks so magical.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
The next three images show a Pacific Black Duck as it preens. The shots are very similar but I loved the way the iridescent feather speculum shows a range of beautiful colours, greens, blues and purples.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
The secondary flight feathers form the speculum and the colours change depending on the angle of the light.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
I often see bird reflection images shared on social media, and many of the reflections are exact replicas of the bird and have been digitally created (a photoshop skill that I don’t have). The shot above interested me as the reflection shows up as purple rather than the blue/greens on the duck. I’d need to check my ancient physics books to try to understand why, but as in all photography, it must be related to the light.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
I thought it was pretty comical when the blackie realised I was watching it preen. Somehow its body looks strangely out of proportion.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/2000, f/8.0, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
I kept looking at the ‘tear drop’ in the portrait above. I’m hoping it’s a tear of happiness as for the very first time a bill has been presented to the Victorian Parliament seeking the permanent ban of recreational duck shooting. The bill is due to be voted on shortly so letters to politicians are vital. Please add your name to this petition, thank you: Ban Duck Shooting Petition
The Australian Photographic Society’s Convention in Ballarat was excellent. There were some fabulous speakers and I was pleased to receive a warm response to my presentation. It was wonderful that many people thanked me for speaking about bird photography ethics. On a less pleasant level I went flying over a tap fitting that was lurking in darkness near my car. I hit the ground, a literal face-plant, without any awareness of what had tripped me. My leg was (is) particularly unhappy and blood was flowing as I hobbled to reception for an ice pack. I didn’t sleep well due to the pain which left me so exhausted I had to leave early and miss the ceremony where I’d hoped to meet awarded photographers and collect my EFIAP Silver medal – ah well. I don’t often whinge publicly but it was so disappointing. Hopefully they’ve now made the tap fitting safe for other guests. Despite the injuries I feel lucky that I wasn’t carrying anything large or sharp and that I’m not tall enough to have hit my car as I fell.
Happy birding and please walk carefully!
Kim
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When the blackie realised you were watching it take a bath, it looked at you as if to ask, “What are you looking at?!” as you would if someone was watching you lol
Oh yes, it really does have that look on its face!
Yeah. It’s funny 🤣
Dear Kim, so sorry to hear about your fall and that you had to leave early because of I. Hope you are well on the mend and thanks agaîn for your lovely photos. Valda
Thank you Valda, I am on the mend, still getting my leg ‘dressed’ every few days, I don’t bounce like I used to! I’m glad you enjoy the photographs, I feel the same way about your artwork, Kim
Blackies are such lovely birds! I really love the lustre on their wings. Interesting about the reflections. Fingers crossed they will be safe from shooters going forward… we can only hope!
Congratulations on the silver medal! It’s a pity you were too injured and tired to make the ceremony, maybe next year 🙂
Their wings are truly remarkable aren’t they. Imagine if our eyes or hair or something changed colour like that. And I definitely hope you’re right about the shooters (and the medal) 🙂
Greetings Kim
I’m so glad that nothing worse happened to you in your face plant and that you quickly recover from your injuries. I’ve had a couple of my own in the last year or so and it really shakes you up. Thanks again for the lovely photos and I hope you are soon well enough to get out and photograph some more of our lovely birds, especially as new young ones will soon be around.
Sorry to hear about your ‘trips’ too Neil, they’re definitely not the kind of trips we prefer to take! Your comment about the new young ones inspired the upcoming post, thank you
I thought I commented – but perhaps my brain is tricking me again. If you get two, please delete one.
I signed the petition. Gladly.
I love the energy (and joy) that birds put into bathing.
And was awed by your reflection shots.
Megathanks.
How did I miss your face plant. I am so sorry, and have gone down that track more than once myself. And my face is scarred from the most spectacular. I hope you are healing well – very well.
Hi EC, I love watching birds bathe too, it is definitely joyous. So sorry to hear about your face plants, especially the one you mention. I sported a set of woodchip whiskers for a while, I hadn’t even noticed them until my leg started taking notice of the icepack but no cuts on my face, just a rosy chin that glowed in the dark for a while.