Magical moment – can you imagine being low down on the bank of a small lake, its surface covered in duckweed, watching as an Australasian Darter disappears under the water. Each time it dived I had no idea where it would briefly resurface, sometimes without food, sometimes swallowing it quickly and just this once tossing its catch into the air to ensure it went down head first. I love the way the minuscule duckweed leaves are clinging to the darter’s feathers.
1/1600, f/4.5, ISO 400
Canon R5, Canon f/4 600 L IS USM
I have never been so aware of the muscles in a bird’s neck. It looked so strong as it rose up from the water. And the look in its eye shows intense concentration.
The entire section of the lake was covered in duckweed, which I thought would make a less distracting and more unique background than the blotchy, dark shrubs on the far side of the lake. I wanted the stretch of the darter’s upper body and the curl of the poor little fish to stand out dramatically (I have been told that the fish is a native Common Galaxias (Galaxias maculatus)).
My apologies that there is only one shot this week but life has been rather hectic and the backup battery has beeped disconcertingly so I should hit ‘publish’ quickly in case I lose power.
Happy birding, Kim
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Two great skills on show here – your impressive skill as a photographer, and the bird’s amazing skill at catching its food!
Am I right in thinking this Darter is a close relative of the Australian cormorant? Very similar beak, head and neck – I see stacks of Cormies here at Elwood beach, always drying their wings in the sun, and they’re also brilliant at catching fish.
This dynamic shot reminds me of David Attenborough’s quote, which is cruel but undeniably true –
‘In nature, everyone is someone else’s dinner.’
Oh my goodness, I have lost my reply to you twice now, third time lucky I hope!
I think the darter and I were both pretty happy with our captures. As far as I know darters are fairly closely related to cormorants, along with gannets and boobies but I’d have to do some research to be more specific. It’s great to hear about the cormorants at Elwood Beach. And I agree about David Attenborough’s quote, that is so true.
What a great shot!
Thank you Stephen!
Great catch Kim…not only you but him as well…LOL
Cheers,
Ron.
Thanks Ron. I think it was only the fish that wasn’t too happy.
Nature sadly…
What an incredible shot. The effect of the duckweed gives (me at least) the illusion that the water is solid and the darter is emerging from the ground. You are right about the incredible muscles in the neck too. Thank you. Again.
That’s really interesting EC as I noticed that too, and I think it’s what made me so aware of the strength of the darter.