It’s Mothers’ Day in Australia this weekend so I thought I’d share some mumma birds with their youngsters, with one ring-in species to finish up the post.
Watching cygnets is one of my favourite ‘activities’. The little one closest to me has its foot curled up on its back, the human equivalent of putting our feet up. The first time I saw an adult swan do this I was a bit concerned as it looked so odd and uncomfortable.
There were a couple of other cygnets hiding beneath this mumma’s feathers. Female Black Swans are smaller than the males so if you see a pair together it’s quite easy to tell which is which.
This newly hatched Dusky Moorhen could have a face that only a mother could love, but the more I look at it the cuter it becomes.
Australasian Swamphen chicks look quite similar to moorhens, the one above is a little further along with its feather development.
The birds, like Little Pied Cormorants, that feed their young regurgitated food make me quite glad I’m not one of them. The chicks can be very demanding when they are hungry!
I love the way the water looks in the photograph above, with the Pacific Black Duck and her four little ducklings.
Australian Wood Ducks/Maned Ducks often look after quite huge broods. Often these broods are the result of other females laying their eggs in an established nest. I’m in awe of how conscientiously these ducks look out for their ducklings.
Occasionally the ducklings might be left sunning themselves on the bank but the parents are always close by. I like the way the grasses behind these little siblings makes a kind of sunburst.
And now for the ring-ins! As a conservation wildlife photographer I supply images to organisations advocating for various species. The Victorian Kangaroo Alliance provides a wonderful voice for the well-being of our unique, gentle, family groups of kangaroos. I recently visited a place where I often see these beautiful animals but I’d only spotted a couple resting in deep shade. The sun had almost set so I was heading down the hill when I spotted this beautiful pair on the other side of the creek, lit up by the last warm rays of sunshine.
Happy birding, Kim
Update the Parliamentary Inquiry into Native Bird Shooting closed on Monday and has received a huge number of submissions. From what I understand it has become the largest Inquiry in Victoria’s history. At the time of writing 739 submissions have been made public, more are being added to the website each day. The Select Committee is scheduled to share their findings on 31 August 2023. I will keep you posted, and I will keep hoping.
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