I like photographing preening birds and Swan Lake is the perfect spot to photograph swans.
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
1/1600, f/13, ISO 1600
Photographs of preening birds make me happy. It means they are comfortable with the presence of the photographer, that aspect of bird photography is important to me. There are many photographs doing the rounds of fluffed up birds staring into the camera, sometimes this happens naturally but not as often as I believe it happens when birds are called in and are frantically defending their territory. And nest shots are so upsetting. There have been more back and forth comments this week on facebook about taking images of nests. They are such easy shots to take as the birds are almost captive, but disturbing birds at this time can result in the nest being abandoned or predated. It makes me sad that such shots get so many likes.
On a happier note I adore the graceful curves of swans. As I was photographing this bird I watched for those curves as it twisted and turned while preening.
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
1/1250, f/13, ISO 1600
Their long necks enable them to tweak even those hard-to-reach places. As I’m writing I’m thinking about their colouring, red, black and white which reminded me of a joke from primary school that asks what are those three colours and the answer is ‘a newspaper’. I’m digressing, I do that when I’m tired. Back to swans.
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
1/1000, f/13, ISO 1600
Shivers of loveliness! In the image above I really like the curve of the swan’s neck and the way its head is nestled amongst its feathers.
Black Swans mate for life and raise one set of cygnets each year. They are opportunistic breeders and many are taking advantage of current conditions in areas that have had adequate rain. They need a remarkable 40m of open water to enable them to take off. I’m wondering if I’m the only one who thinks the water looks like old, rusting, corrugated iron.
I’ve made a few changes to lirralirra over the past week, including adding four new banner images and keeping four of the previous shots. Each time you open lirralirra, or refresh, a banner image is randomly chosen so there’s now a 50% chance that you’ll see a new banner image when you click on the page. I’ve changed the font and font colour which will hopefully be positive move.
It’s late and my dogs are ready for some supper, and so am I.
Happy birding to you all
Kim
PS If you’d like to see more ethical bird images there’s a facebook page called Ethical Bird Photography that might be of interest
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Great Photos the clarity is incredible . I am thinking of taking up Photography and bird are my passion. what sort of Camera do you use ?Thanks Dianne
Hi Dianne, I use Canon gear with two cameras and a couple of long lenses. If you’d like to talk about it more please send me an email. Good luck with following up your dream, Kim
Thanks Kim for this beautiful story. A timely reminder to all to keep the bird’s best interests to heart. I love your LirraLirra.
Perhaps all fb photographers who post nest shots should be obliged to share lens details and distance from nest – might make them take a bit more care. 😀💓
Hi Jan, some sites do suggest that, and I know it’s possible to take shots when the birds haven’t been disturbed but I’ve seen and heard so many awful stories that it’s put me off seeing shared nest shots, as cute as they can be. I really appreciate your comment, thank you, Kim
Beautiful framing and exposure, Kim. Wonderful photography. P.S. I remember the school joke. In my days it went, “What is black and white and red all over?” Answer: “A newspaper.”
Thank you Neil. You have the joke exactly right! It’s a bit irrelevant now with so many papers being read online. A book of out of date jokes could be quite interesting.
Magnificent photographs once again, Kim. The curves of swans are always pleasing to the eye, whatever their pose.
Water looking like old, rusting corrugated iron? Yes I agree, but hadn’t noticed until you made mention of it. Actually it would make a beautiful background for a variety of artistic creations!
Thank you Margot. If I was any good at photoshopping I’d be able to put your suggestion to good use.
I adore the sinuous grace of swans, and watch them preen with immense pleasure.
As I do all preening birds, particularly when water is involved.
I see what you mean about the rusty corrugated iron – but I see the very best shot silk in those images…
Shot silk sounds way more appropriate that rusty iron, what was I thinking!