The temperature is due to reach the mid 40s Celsius today so I am sharing photographs from a cool day on Mud Islands; bizarrely I’ve just realised they were taken on this exact date a few years ago.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
1/2500, f/8.0, ISO 400
It was a highlight of the day (the dramatic day) when this immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle flew over with the Caspian Tern as its escort. White-bellied Sea-Eagles are always magnificent but I think immature birds are especially striking with their warm colouring and osprey-like necklace.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle’s have a wingspan between 1.8-2.0 metres which is just below the 1.8-2.3 metres of the Wedge-tailed Eagle.
Caspian Tern
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400
Caspian Terns are the largest terns. They fly about 15 metres above the water before plunging to catch fish, which they usually swallow, head-first, in flight. They often have a dusky tip to their bill and their black caps become streaky during winter.
The drama of the Mud Islands trip is very memorable. I’d organised for a diving charter boat to take me and two friends out to the islands. I’d been before so we were prepared to wade from the sandbar through knee deep water with all our gear. I’d hadn’t expected us to wade through water that was past our warm bits. The boat was well gone by the time we realised how deep it was. One of the guys went under a couple of times, I was seriously worried about him but luckily he was okay, and so was most of his gear. Tall superhero rescued us both, ‘drenched man’ went first while I loitered on the shrinking sandbar with the Jaws theme tune playing in my head. It was a memorable adventure.
Happy birding
Kim
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WHAT an amazing shot – and experience.
Thank you so much – and indeed for all the beauty and wonder you provide us with.
I hope your weather moderates and that there are no fires anywhere near you. We are shrouded in smoke here (but for the moment well out of the burning range). And also in the 40s.
I hope your Christmas and the year(s) to come bring you everything you could hope for.
Thank you EC. I wish the same for you x