Dusky Moorhen

You’re definitely living in the moment when you’re as low as you can go and a juvenile Dusky Moorhen is racing around, filling your viewfinder while you desperately try to keep the entire bird in the frame.

I was thrilled to capture these two shots and keep wavering about which one I like the most. I love the detail as well as the beautifully blurred backgrounds. And it’s interesting to see the narrow band of in-focus grass in the second shot, showing how effectively the depth of field can make the subject stand out nice and clearly.

Dusky Moorhens are a medium-sized waterbird, smaller than Australasian Swamphens (formerly called Purple Swamphens). They are omnivores, eating a wide range of plants, algae, invertebrates, fruit, seeds and even carrion and bird droppings.

I photographed these birds at a local park that I should visit much more often. I haven’t been out to the wetlands yet this year with the incredibly wonderful duck rescuers but I’m aware of what is happening and it’s constantly on my mind. Apparently there are fewer shooters than usual but, as usual, wetlands are being trashed and non ‘game’ birds are being shot. I long for the day when all Victorian waterbirds can live their lives as peacefully as this lovely young moorhen.

Happy birding, Kim

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