Now that we have that necessary bit of alliteration out of the way here's a little update from Silverleaves, Phillip Island.
It's Spring - and it's wet.
The low-lying land is a wetland once again, now deep enough to get Royal spoonbills interested. I counted four there recently and I took the chance to photograph them even though yet another Bass Strait squall was pushing through.
 |
| All birds demonstrated bleeding plumage. I read that the males and females look similar |
 |
| I was pretty happy with some of the angles this bird gave me, showing off its aigrette plumes. |
 |
| "Oh my! Would you look over there at Reg. What is he thinking? He's been seeing that new stylist" |
 |
| Rachel couldn't bear to look at him |
 |
| Quelle horreur! Here is a Royal spoonbill having an itch in a stiff breeze! |
In other breaking news… The Latham's snipe have returned to Honeysuckle Grove.
I have been driving past this marshy paddock for 26 years. It was not until the 27 November 2011 that the car was brought to a sudden halt one evening (might be dramatising a little, it is a 40kmh road shared with pedestrians) ...
 |
| Latham's snipe - such gorgeous markings! |
As with the November 2011 experience these photos were taken from the car. On this occasion there must have been at least 20 birds.
Bird on!
