I’m sharing these images as I reflect on the sad passing of Dr Clive Minton in a car accident at Dunkeld last week.
Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)
Clive worked tirelessly with wader study groups gathering information about shorebirds. His dedication, knowledge and commitment has profoundly benefitted our shorebirds, and will continue to do so due to the dedicated volunteers of the Victorian Waders Study Group. More information on Clive’s contributions and achievements can be read here: Vale Dr Clive Minton
Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) – male
Clive invited me to spend some time with the Victorian Waders Study Group as a documentary photographer. Each day the teams worked with remarkable precision, effort and bonhomie – it was fascinating to photograph them action.
Red-necked Avocets are endemic to Australia and feed in shallow water by sweeping their long bills back and forth to capture aquatic insects and larvae. Male’s bill are more sharply curved than the bills of females. They have chestnut brown head and necks, set off with a white eye-ring and long, upturned bill. They are predominantly white, with two black streaks on their backs and black wing bars. Words don’t do them justice, they are exquisitely beautiful.
Clive Minton and members of the Victorian Waders Study Group
More information and images from my days with the team can be found here: lirralirra Bird conservation photo essay
Clive Minton with Pied Oystercatcher 3J
If you are on facebook you may wish to visit the Australian National Shorebird Monitoring page.
This week’s reflection image was photographed at the Western Treatment Plant, other images were taken on location with the VWSG at Rhyll and Jam Jerrup, Victoria.
Happy birding
Kim
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