Point of View

Our point of view makes a huge difference to so many aspects of our photography and our lives.

When I’m photographing birds I love to immerse myself in their world. Lying in the grass makes me aware of the tiny beetles and spiders that the fairywrens are hoping to catch. It also gives a beaut perspective of the fairywren, more intimate somehow.

This little female is re-growing some tail feathers. She measures about 14cm, including that long tail, and weighs about 10g. Superb Fairywrens are found across Australia apart from Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

I like the way the brownish-orange leaves among the grass highlight brownish-orange of her bill and lores.

This week has been about more than point of view as it relates to the angle from which I take a photograph. Even as I write this post I’m commenting back and forth with people who believe that shooting our native waterbirds is entirely justifiable despite so much evidence to the contrary.

Earlier this week I finally met with Deputy Premier James Merlino, not long before the season was announced. I’ve known James for a long time, since before he was a councillor with the Shire of Yarra Ranges let alone a member of parliament. He said that he doesn’t like duck shooting, but not that he didn’t support a season being called. He mentioned that there is momentum within the party and the community for a permanent ban within the next year or two. The government’s decision to call this season is shameful and inexcusable. Waterbird numbers are down 90% since the 1980s (UNSW), the wounding rate is 25% (Roster, GMA approved) and our wildlife has suffered so much with droughts, fires and habitat loss. Blasting mixed flocks with hundreds of pellets is archaic, unnecessary and inherently cruel.

The season is scheduled to begin on 2 May 2020 and finish on 8 June 2020 with a daily bag limit per shooter of three birds. Native birds that can legally be shot during this period are: Pink-eared Ducks, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal, Australian Wood Duck/Maned Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Australian Shelduck and Hardhead. Yes, including Hardhead, the species that featured in last week’s dramatic rescue that showed how many people cared enough about one little bird to go to extraordinary lengths to rescue it from a horrible fate. And to make it worse, Hardhead are listed as Vulnerable in Victoria.

I urge everyone who cares about our wildlife to contact the Premier’s office on 03 9651 5000 to express your disappointment at the decision to allow a recreational duck shooting season. They will ask for your postcode as they’re only interested in whether those of us who care about birds are from marginal electorates. It’s shameful.

When I arrived home today a family of Superb Fairywrens were playfully foraging in my garden. I stood still and watched them for many minutes, they came close to me as they foraged, closer than usual. It was magical.

Happy birding
Kim

~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group  Ethical Bird Photography