I’m sharing these images as I reflect on the sad passing of Dr Clive Minton in a car accident at Dunkeld last week.
Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)
Clive worked tirelessly with wader study groups gathering information about shorebirds. His dedication, knowledge and commitment has profoundly benefitted our shorebirds, and will continue to do so due to the dedicated volunteers of the Victorian Waders Study Group. More information on Clive’s contributions and achievements can be read here: Vale Dr Clive Minton
Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) – male
Clive invited me to spend some time with the Victorian Waders Study Group as a documentary photographer. Each day the teams worked with remarkable precision, effort and bonhomie – it was fascinating to photograph them action.
Red-necked Avocets are endemic to Australia and feed in shallow water by sweeping their long bills back and forth to capture aquatic insects and larvae. Male’s bill are more sharply curved than the bills of females. They have chestnut brown head and necks, set off with a white eye-ring and long, upturned bill. They are predominantly white, with two black streaks on their backs and black wing bars. Words don’t do them justice, they are exquisitely beautiful.
Clive Minton and members of the Victorian Waders Study Group
More information and images from my days with the team can be found here: lirralirra Bird conservation photo essay
Clive Minton with Pied Oystercatcher 3J
If you are on facebook you may wish to visit the Australian National Shorebird Monitoring page.
This week’s reflection image was photographed at the Western Treatment Plant, other images were taken on location with the VWSG at Rhyll and Jam Jerrup, Victoria.
Happy birding
Kim
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What a shame to hear of the loss of someone so dedicated to our waders. It sounds like he has left an incredible legacy. Avocets really are stunning, yet so bizarre with their upturned bills! Beautiful images as always!
They are beautiful birds Alyssa, incredibly graceful.
Thank you for this lovely tribute. I am so pleased I was finally able to meet Clive at the previous shorebird conference in Hobart – such energy, enthusiasm and warm personality. He is a sad loss to our bird world but I am sure he has inspired many others to help monitor our birds.
I think you’re right Els about the number of people who have been inspired by Clive. To have been at the shorebird conference must mean that you are working to monitor waders too, thank you, Kim
Hi Kim,
Thanks for sharing your photos of Clive and the VWSG. Clive worked tirelessly for waders. He will be very much missed.
It was lovely to see the photo of Clive that you put up.
Linda Cross
Queensland Wader Study Group.
Hi Linda, I’m glad you liked the photographs of Clive in his element. The work done by the wader study groups is invaluable, thank you for all you do to help these vulnerable birds, Kim
Great work and shots!
Thank you Stephen 🙂
Wonderful. I did a similar thing on my page – but with no pictures of Clive.
You’ve shared some magical shots there Stewart. It’s great that you were able to spend some time with him in the field, he’s definitely a citizen scientist extraordinaire, Kim
The top picture with the reflections of the avocets is gorgeous. Really nice.
Thank you Thomas. I should try for more reflection shots, though these avocets are probably more dramatic than most other shorebirds, Kim