Change of plan.
Nov 22nd, 2008 by Duncan
I know I said this post would be about moths, but something else popped up, an egret in fact, hence the change. My air compressor spat the dummy the other day which meant a trip to Sale for a new rear bearing, and always ready to mix business with pleasure, I took the camera for a detour to the ever reliable Lake Guyatt. I was hardly out of the car when a Great Egret flew over and dipped behind the trees, it’s gone I thought, but then it circled and flew back over me, in luck for once. I took some quick fire shots as it went over and these were the two best, I can’t decide which one I like the most.
Flooding Creek is drying out fast, although if we get the promised rain that may change. Reed Warblers were singing exuberantly, and the usual candidates were feeding in the remaining water, Dusky Moorhens, Pacific Black Duck, and Chestnut Teal, the latter one of our most attractive ducks I always think.
Lake Guyatt is itself drying out, but conditions were still good for pelicans and spoonbills, several royal and one yellow were taking it easy with the pelicans, silver gulls, and assorted ducks in the distance. Pelicans are always good for a picture, and have the great advantage of not moving quickly. We reckon these could be spectators at a football match, and who would two be barracking for? The Sydney Swans of course, carn a Swans!! The other two are obviously Saints supporters trying not to let their disappointment show* 
The lake has become a favourite spot for Latham’s Snipe, and I flushed quite a few from one of the small islands while trying unsuccessfully to get a photo, their camouflage and concealment was too good for me. Thought I’d try my hand at being a sniper though, and pinged one at long range. The quality is not brilliant, but the bird was going flat out more than thirty metres away.
That’s my excuse anyway, click all pictures except the snipe for larger versions.
Moths should be on the agenda next time…. I think.
*There’s a clue here as to the football allegiances in the BC household, now, I wonder does my halo need adjusting…..
What? No moths? Where do I lodge a complaint?
Fantastic set of photos. Like yourself I can’t pick between the two egret shots. Both are excellent.
All complaints must be in the complainant’s hand writing, accompanied by a fifty dollar note to cover administration, and if judged to be valid will be directed to the executive authority and will be attended to within five working days.
I can certainly wait for those moths with images like this to view in the meantime– the egret is so elegant, a backlit angel
Good snipe. I’ve more or less given up trying for them in flight. Too zigzag for my reflexes.
Eye contact of first egret shot wins for me. Agree about Chestnut Teal. Only Greys up here, and seldom any in Tyto anyway.
All the photos are great – but pelicans get into such interesting poses! The in-flight snipe is especially good – great under-wing patterns and colors.
Cindy, only you could come up with a description like that! Moths coming up next, all my best, D.
Inclined to agree with you Tony, just something about that pose. The snipe was pure fluke.
Hi Mick, I reckon one could specialise in pelicans! Was interesting to see under the snipe’s wing.
Great shots!Especially the snipe.
Thanks,Tom!
Duncan,
By the look of tonight’s weather radar, you might be getting the rain you wanted!
At long last John, tipped 45 mm out of the gauge this morning.
Hi Duncan-
This is my first time to visit – I especially like the pelican pictures! I’ve got a sweet spot for pelicans – yours are a different species than mine here in Texas. They have more black – very handsome!
Hi Amber, welcome. Pelicans are a great bird, you’ve got some spectacular photos on your site.
Great photos – especially the snipe in flight. Birds in flight are often a challenge, but that is very impressive indeed!
Thanks Christopher, and thanks for visiting.
Beautiful photos, especially the Snipe!
Thanks Bob, thanks for dropping by.