I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bird bathing so vigorously that the sparkling spray covered such a wide area.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
The bathing beauty image was captured at Blackburn Lake, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The duck ducked, that’s not a phrase I ever thought I’d write! Each bout of bathing started with the bird ducking beneath the water before raising itself and vigorously shaking its wings as it bobbed up and down.
Birds bathe to wash their feathers and to help rid themselves of parasites, which seems a bit boring when the image looks so magical.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
The next three images show a Pacific Black Duck as it preens. The shots are very similar but I loved the way the iridescent feather speculum shows a range of beautiful colours, greens, blues and purples.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
The secondary flight feathers form the speculum and the colours change depending on the angle of the light.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
I often see bird reflection images shared on social media, and many of the reflections are exact replicas of the bird and have been digitally created (a photoshop skill that I don’t have). The shot above interested me as the reflection shows up as purple rather than the blue/greens on the duck. I’d need to check my ancient physics books to try to understand why, but as in all photography, it must be related to the light.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
I thought it was pretty comical when the blackie realised I was watching it preen. Somehow its body looks strangely out of proportion.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
1/2000, f/8.0, ISO 1600
Canon 5D3, Canon 100-400 L IS II USM
I kept looking at the ‘tear drop’ in the portrait above. I’m hoping it’s a tear of happiness as for the very first time a bill has been presented to the Victorian Parliament seeking the permanent ban of recreational duck shooting. The bill is due to be voted on shortly so letters to politicians are vital. Please add your name to this petition, thank you: Ban Duck Shooting Petition
The Australian Photographic Society’s Convention in Ballarat was excellent. There were some fabulous speakers and I was pleased to receive a warm response to my presentation. It was wonderful that many people thanked me for speaking about bird photography ethics. On a less pleasant level I went flying over a tap fitting that was lurking in darkness near my car. I hit the ground, a literal face-plant, without any awareness of what had tripped me. My leg was (is) particularly unhappy and blood was flowing as I hobbled to reception for an ice pack. I didn’t sleep well due to the pain which left me so exhausted I had to leave early and miss the ceremony where I’d hoped to meet awarded photographers and collect my EFIAP Silver medal – ah well. I don’t often whinge publicly but it was so disappointing. Hopefully they’ve now made the tap fitting safe for other guests. Despite the injuries I feel lucky that I wasn’t carrying anything large or sharp and that I’m not tall enough to have hit my car as I fell.
Happy birding and please walk carefully!
Kim
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