A Pied Stilt in flight, with its needle-like bill pointing the way and its long pink legs trailing behind, is a pretty lovely sight.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 400, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
I think stilts are remarkable birds – they are graceful when feeding and in flight and I could watch them for hours – actually I have watched them for hours. There are three details in this image that you might not notice at first glance: they have a red iris, there is a slight iridescent sheen to their black feathers, and there are sharp black nails (or claws) on each of their long pink toes.
With the duck shooting season over for the year (and hopefully forever) these birds are free again to live and fly over their wetlands without the fear of shooters.
I wish Georgia had been able to send her evocative meme to the inquiry – I’ll ask her if she’d like to send it to her member of parliament.
The Parliamentary Inquiry has received over 9000 submissions, eclipsing all previous records. Here’s a table showing the record-breaking submissions for the past few years with the native bird shooting inquiry far outstripping all previous record holders:
Submissions are gradually being made public and can be viewed here: Native Bird Shooting Parliamentary Inquiry
So far the ‘ban’ submissions significantly outweigh the ‘keep shooting’ submissions – 1632 have been made public.
I shared photographs of a Pied Stilt a few years ago when they were called Black-winged Stilts (they have also been known as White-headed Stilt). There are some beaut shots here: Lirralirra – Black-winged Stilt
Happy birding, Kim
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Great photo – wish i had those legs and toes!
Great news re the record number of submissions (hopefully most protesting against not for!).
Haha! You’ve made me giggle thinking of you with those legs and toes! I guess pink tights and black nail polish would get you pretty close.
So far there are many more submissions by people advocating for a ban, I hope it stays that way. The hearings on Friday will include Laurie Levy, the public are welcome in person and online.
Great photo. Any gymnast judge would give full marks for the straight legs!
What a funny thought!
Children know more about what is really going on in life and this girl has shown with her very clever and poignant artwork exactly what this cruel, barbaric, senseless slaughter of gentle, defenceless ducks is all about.
Georgia should indeed send it to her Member of Parliament and also send it to the media.
We do not want our children growing up in a world that kills wildlife for the sake of killing and the only way our children will know about these beautiful, unique birds is by looking at the wonderful photos taken by you, Kim.
Children thrive when out and about in nature, exploring, listening, learning, photographing, studying and playing as this teaches them to respect, value, understand and then comes conservation, protection and being the voice for the voiceless.
Congratulations Georgia and a special thank you on behalf of all our beautiful ducks.
Pied Stilt in flight – magical.
I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about young people and nature. I find it quite chilling to see children on the wetlands proudly holding dead ducks. Georgia’s insight (and talent) gives me hope that the younger generations will understand that we are part of the planet, part of nature – whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. Chief Seattle’s poignant quotes come to mind.
Thank you. The stilt photo is a beauty – and I have never been close enough to see the details you mentioned.
Georgia is right on the money, and I am thrilled that so many people made submissions in the negative. At last there is hope.
I find the stilt’s tiny black toenails pretty remarkable. Oh EC just as I was starting to agree with you about Georgia’s meme a little flock of Australian Wood Ducks (or Maned Ducks as I should call them now) flew over my garden. They often perch on the old gum trees and call, which I love to see and listen to. I love it even more when they nest in the hollows.
Lucky, lucky you.
Great work Georgia on the meme!
Ironically when I look at that beautiful stilt in my mind’s eye I see the one from Lake Straun with its wing half shot off thanks to duck shooters. Much nicer to see your wonderful picture!
The thought of your poor stilt suffering the way it was fills me with such a mix of emotions – it’s so cruel and unnecessary. There are so many of us who care about our native wildlife waiting for the outcome of the inquiry. I agree about Georgia’s meme!