Such grace! Two in flight, one with a tiny mollusc, one backlit, and the most delightful juvenile with a drop of water at the tip of its long bill.
Look at the stretch of those long pink toes with their black nails, not to mention the beautiful sheen of its wings and the eye contact as it flew past me.
I first knew this species at a Black-winged Stilt, which is still my favourite name for them. Then they became White-headed Stilts before more recently being called Pied Stilts. There was a world-wide review of the species in 2019 that focused on the scientific distinctions between Eurasian/African and Australasian stilts.
I love how daintily this stilt picked up such a tiny mollusc, and how lucky I was to capture the moment just before the mollusc disappeared.
Only young birds have the soft grey blush on their heads and hind-necks. Their heads will become white as they age while their hind-necks will become black.
Pied Stilts like to forage on shallow wetlands or saturated mudflats. I was filthy after taking these shots on the mudflats and found it quite remarkable that the stilts stayed looking so pristine.
I have never studied ballet but I feel as though this pose resembles something a beginner might learn. Although the bend in the leg may appear to be its knee, it is actually its ankle.
The lighting on this young bird is exquisite, even the tiny glow of light at the tip of its bill. They are a beautiful species.
I had the honour of opening the Melbourne Camera Club nature exhibition last night. What a fabulous group attended, and what stunning images graced the walls. I have three of my favourite images on display among almost ninety others. The exhibition is open for this weekend only. Please see last week’s post for more details: Critically Endangered Honeyeaters
Happy birding, Kim
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