I was scheduled to take a bird photography masterclass at the Western Treatment Plant with Des from Australian Bird Tours but when the WTP closed, to help prevent the spread of H5N1 bird flu, we had to change venues. The sites Des chose were fabulous for bird photography and during the day we photographed several ‘tyred’ birds.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 1250, handheld
Canon R5, Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM
This White-faced Heron had been foraging along the water’s edge when I wondered if it would be obliging enough to wander behind the tyre. I love the look of this framed shot and the iconic pose as the heron lifted its leg while staring intently at its next snack.
1/2500, f/8, ISO 1600, handheld
Canon R5, Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM
The next bird to wander along was a Great Egret. I was so pleased that it ducked its head a little as it came into view behind the tyre.
There are several massive tyres along this stretch of water that were put in place as a groyne to help control erosion.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, handheld
Canon R5, Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM
The next species to turn up were Silver Gulls. This one, with its brown bill, pale legs, mottled brown feathers and brown iris with no eye-ring, is a juvenile.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, handheld
Canon R5, Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM
And this Silver Gull, with its red bill, white iris, red eye-ring and red legs, is an adult. A ship came into view for this shot, luckily it wasn’t directly behind the bird.
Sadly I found a deceased Little Pied Cormorant near this site. I followed the Avoid, Record, Report protocol and was told that the bird would be collected and tested. I haven’t heard back yet but will share an update when I do.
I’ve made a couple of fantastic changes to last week’s calendar draft. I’ll share the new version as soon as everything is confirmed.
Happy birding, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra – 11K+ followers
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https://www.australianbirdtours.com.au/bird-photography-masterclass
I adore these! Such wonderful shots!
They’re a bit different, I’m glad you like them!
That’s a fantastic frame for the birds. Well done on your patience.
Thanks Wendy. It was definitely one of the times that hoping for something in particular with photographs 🙂
What a great series of photographs especially the first two. They knew just where you wanted them and the poses!
Thanks Margot! I have one more, with a spoonbill, but that bird walked just in front of the tyre instead of behind, and it got too late to include it.
It was a great day with you Kim and meeting Marilee and Leanne, loved every moment! A substitute for the Western Treatment Plant, no, but yes! fantastic day!
It really was fabulous, thanks for finding such great spots for birds and bird photography!
You framed those shots so cleverly, Kim. All those massive tyres make me worry about all the micro plastics and heavy metals leaching off them into the bay – not good. We have boulders down here by the bay, used to build a few rocky groynes – which seems much more eco friendly than manky old tyres. Still, Rocky Groyne always sounds like the name of a nightclub singer!
Thank you Deirdre. It was very thoughtful of the birds to be so obliging wasn’t it. I agree that rocks would be more environmentally appropriate. I tried to find out when the tyres were put in place but couldn’t find anything about them. I imagine a nightclub singer with that name might do better than Tyred Groyne.