We’re in lockdown again so I’m extra glad I was able to make a rushed trip to Phillip Island last weekend.
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 6400
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
It was on the verge of being too late to go for a walk but we went anyway, thank goodness. These photographs were all taken at Swan Lake. The flock of Straw-necked Ibis were flying in quickly from the east, heading for their roosting site. They weren’t flying in their usual more structured V-formation, they were just like a higgledy-piggledy bunch of wanderers racing home.
1/320, f/5.6, ISO 6400
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
As we walked back from the lake this Australasian Swamphen crept up behind the Cape Barren Goose and the pair of them peacefully watched the sun setting.
1/640, f/5.6, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
As all the shots were taken hand-held the shutter speeds were much lower than is ideal with a long lens so I’m rapt that the photographs show recognisable wildlife! I put the shutter speed up a little when I saw this Swamp Wallaby on a distant rise. I didn’t need any colour in this shot, it was the silhouette that caught my attention.
I’ve been working on a presentation called Wildlife and Well-being. I’ve shared an image and question on my lirralirra facebook page. If you haven’t seen it there here it is again: Studies have shown the positive impact of spending time with nature. Is this something you’ve experienced? I’d love to hear your thoughts…
Happy birding, stay safe, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
I guess we’re all a reaction to our experiences and personality types. Each to their own, and as we’ve discovered more so than ever it’s about wellbeing, what is it that does it for you. We all contribute to the beautiful tapestry of humanity (obviously there’s a dark side, but let’s not live there).
The whole nurture/nature debate is fascinating isn’t it Syndy, especially when combined with Gardners’ naturalistic intelligence.
I heartily agree with nature being food for the soul, Kim. I’ve always felt renewed and calmer after a sojourn to the country or even just spending time in my own garden watching the birds, observing insects and spiders, or tending my plants.
I’m fortunate to have moved to a house where I can see huge flocks of Ibis, both Australian and Straw-necked pass by from my yard, as well as flocks of Cockatoos, sometimes the Yellow-tailed blacks, as well as the usual Sulphur-crested and lately, have been fortunate to observe a young family of Black-shouldered Kites practicing their skills right next door over some empty blocks of land. This evening, what I assume to be Dad was there alone for a short while. I will miss them when they move on to other hunting grounds.
I love your silhouetted photos!
I was thinking about you earlier this week Kim, so neat to see your comment come in. Thank you for your ‘food for the soul’ thoughts. I can just imagine how neat it would be to be able to watch so many beaut species, as well as the tinier critters, in and around your garden.
Morning. I wholeheartedly agree. However I wonder if asking the question here will give you the answe you want. I have a grown daughter who even as a child did not love nature. We live on a arable and near what is now national park. She has always loved the city and street scapes. She prefers rooftops to birds!
I do get it to a point but it is nature for me.
Hi Sandy, my eldest daughter is much the same as your daughter! She loves cities, big cities, crowded cities, the kind that I feel horribly uncomfortable to be in. And she’s uncomfortable in the kind of remote place that I love. It’s so funny.
What absolute heart-lifting stunners.
And yes, of course nature is solace and heart balm. Always. And not only the birds and the beasts (including insects). A sunrise, a sunset, a rainbow, clouds in all their myriad colours and shapes…
Yes, yes and yes to your list EC. I understand that completely. Even looking through my images for the presentation had me choosing snails and lizards, seed heads and sunsets.
Dear Kim
More wonderful and different shots of ‘birds and beasts’. In answer to your latest project on Wildlife and Well-Being I can wholeheartedly endorse and recommend this experience. The bush and natural environments have always been a high for me and especially having suffered a family tragedy recently it has become even more a place to escape into where sadness and grief take a back seat and make you feel that life is worth living. To be able to immerse yourself in natural fabulous landscapes surrounded by beauty at each bend in the track is so healing for the spirit and mind. Your wonderful pictures are an extension of this natural high too…Thankyou Kim.
I’m so sorry to hear about the sadness and grief you’ve recently experienced Alison. Your description of how you feel in nature is profound. I love the words you’ve used to describe its healing power and solace, and the ‘beauty at each bend in the track’ – we never know what magic is about to greet us do we. Sometimes it’s something magnificent that most people would love, at other times it might be sunlight on the wings of a hoverfly.
Wow the swamp hen and goose look so dino-esque!! Love these pics. The wallaby silhouette is so gorgeous.
How funny you’d say that when I’ve just been listening to a report on ABC radio talking about dinosaurs being birds! Such a sweet silhouette, it made me smile.