Black Swan preening

I visited Werribee Western Treatment Plant again last week and was pleased when one Black Swan didn’t skedaddle with the others when I crept towards it in my vehicle.

 

Black Swan - Kim WormaldBlack Swan – (Cygnus atratus)
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 200, focal length 375mm

 

Black Swans are exquisitely graceful as they glide on smooth waters, and comically ungainly when they waddle on land but I particularly like watching them preen. There is something gentle and peaceful about they way they curve their necks to nudge their bills amongst their feathers. I like the way the image above shows the different feathers of the head, neck and body as well as a hint of the downy feathers that help insulate the swan.

 

Black Swan - Kim WormaldBlack Swan – (Cygnus atratus)
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 200, focal length 350mm

 

It was the eye and the texture of the bill that interested me in the above image. I wonder why so many birds at Werribee are skittish, especially as it is a protected area visited predominantly by staff and bird watchers. Regardless of that it is one of my favourite places.

Last winter I took some images of Black Swan cygnets, click on Mid-winter cygnets if you’d like to see some tufty-headed little darlings.

I hope you get to visit your favourite places this week.

Happy birding, Kim

 

 

PS  The Equipment page has been updated to include the 5D Mark III and various other items.

 

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