Recently I desperately needed a smile, so I drove for six hours to get it. Hopefully today’s mysterious bundle of fluff will help to spread the smile even more widely. Can you work out what it is before scrolling down? I was tempted to share just the one image this week but couldn’t resist the reveal.
Canon gear, 1/1000, f/8.0, ISO 1600
Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) – chick
I’m glad I clicked the shutter button on this curled up bundle of fluffiness and that I didn’t delete the image in my mammoth deletion sessions that have seen over 20,000 photographs scuttle off to oblivion.
Point Danger is a small headland near Portland in Victoria and it’s the only gannet colony on mainland Australia. The colony apparently became established in the mid 1990s but the survival rate for chicks was dismal as they were disturbed by people and heavily predated by foxes and cats. Various methods were tried to protect them including the use of Maremma Sheepdogs which are better known for protecting Little Penguins on Middle Island just off the Warrnambool coast. These livestock-protecting dogs featured in the movie ‘Oddball’ which I think would be interesting to watch.
The gannets are now protected by electrified fences which restrict access to the colony by humans and predators, leaving the birds to face their natural enemies such as the local White-bellied Sea Eagles.
Canon gear, 1/2000, f/9.0, ISO 800
Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) – chick
The chick slept for so long I started to feel a bit concerned about its health so I was especially relieved when it woke up and started preening. Unless you know the species, or saw the caption, the image above wouldn’t be too helpful, though it does help identify the tufts of black feathers in the first image.
Its massive feet are well camouflaged on the rock. The webbing is extensive which helps gannets to be strong, agile swimmers when foraging. Some waterbirds, like ducks and Silvergulls, have webbing that connects the three front toes (termed ‘palmate’) while the other toe points backwards. Gannets, pelicans and cormorants are among the birds that have more extensive webbing which connects all four toes (totipalmate).
Canon gear, 1/2000, f/9.0, ISO 800
Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) – chick
And then the sweet tacker looked across at me and had its photograph taken multiple times. I am still going through my Point Danger images but have found many that have made me smile. I visited the gannets twice in April and some images from the first visit were ready in time to be entered in the Sydney Harbour International premier image salon where four gannet shots were accepted for exhibition and one was awarded. I am humbled by the opportunities I sometimes get to enjoy our wildlife and to share its beauties, thank you for being part of the journey.
Happy birding
Kim
Victoria’s Season of Shame Update
Duck rescuers working with the Coalition Against Duck Shooting (CADS) have been fined for rescuing shot and abandoned birds. CADS are raising funds to help individuals pay the preposterously high fines of $930 each. If you are able to help in this way please go to CADS’ website here, or their facebook page here
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