It’s the time of year when I can’t stop thinking about Victoria’s wetland birds so I’ll share some favourite photographs of favourite ducklings.
These very newly hatched Maned Ducklings (formerly Australian Wood Ducks) were part of a group of 29 just the other side of Mildura. Amazingly cute, amazingly fast and absolutely amazing parent birds keeping them safely in line.
They were pecking at just about anything, I think they were still learning what was edible.
The little one above pecked at the stick a couple of times. I was rapt to get such a detailed image of such a frenetic and minuscule fluffy dot of a duckling.
This little cutie is a Chestnut Teal duckling paddling to catch up with its siblings.
It was super cute to see this little duckling hitching a ride on its dad’s back.
These aren’t brilliant photographs, by a million miles, but they give a glimpse of what we’re sometimes lucky enough to spot among the reeds.
Such a fuzzy little lovely hiding among the reeds! This duckling was with just one parent, who was on high alert. We realised why when five more ducklings scuttled out of the waterside grasses.
I shared a few photographs of this duckling last year, including one where it raised itself up as if it was shaking its wings, which haven’t grown yet.
I’m writing this week’s post really quickly as my site is due to be updated. My apologies for not including the usual details beneath each image.
“MEET US DON’T EAT US!” seems like the ideal slogan for the Victorian Government to use to support nature-based tourism instead of calling a cruel, archaic and unnecessary duck shooting season.
The strength of the movement against duck shooting is getting stronger each year. As the number of native waterbirds have declined so have the number of shooters. Birders, environmentalists and regional Victorians have lobbied successfully for lower bag limits, shorter seasons, later starting times and the closure of sites with endangered species. If you haven’t yet, please send a note to lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au kindly urging her not to call a season this year.
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Hi Kim that is the saddest news. War breaking out and another season of senseless killing – both events are sickening and show that politicians, governments and dictators are acting in the most inhumane, immoral, unethical, cruel and violent ways affecting every living being and the Victorian Labor Party and its shooters/fishers alliances and duck shooting supporters in opposition are again to be condemned.
Maybe send a photo to each politician as these people never get out of their concrete ivory towers and have truly lost connection with people, wildlife and natural environments. Easy to hide inside a concrete, ivory tower!!!
Stay safe as I know you are personally involved in tryng to save these beautiful, defenceless birds.
“We will eventually win if we never retreat, never surrender and never lose faith in the power of our compassion and strength of our resolve.” Paul Watson
It’s so awful Barbara. Thank you for caring and for sharing inspiring quotes, Kim
To all those who love and cherish every living being and, in particular, our magical, unique feathered friends please send not only emails to this politician but also these beautiful photos. Send also to all the politicians and especially your elected representative. The Liberal party representatives must also support the banning of this barbaric, horrific, cruel killing of defenceless birds. Write to the papers and be assured eco tourism is the way for these small regional towns to keep making money all year round as this keeps locals in jobs, businesses flourishing and towns vibrant and welcoming. Tourists love taking photos but not of dead and dying birds, wetlands running with blood and historical and sacred aboriginal sites trashed and destroyed. Each of us has a voice, a ‘pen’ and a phone and we can be the voice for the voiceless and our actions will save these gorgeous little ducklings and ensure they live a safe, healthy, happy life in their wetland home.
If you require any other information or offer assistance to save these beautiful birds please contact: Coalition against duck shooting https://www.duck.org.au/
“Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing and privilege it is just to be alive.”
Martin Rubin
They’ve just called a full season Barbara. Starting 16 March. I’m sickened.