Charging Pacific Black Ducks

Posted on 17 December 2024 by E Y

This dramatic looking image was taken in the morning of 10 November 2024 at the Oak Street Wetlands within an hour of sunrise. The sky was clear and the rising sun cast a warm light onto the wetland.

While the ducks looked like they were charging toward me, this is common behavior of these ducks. They are swimming towards me expecting to be fed. Visitors to the Oak Street Wetland generally don’t feed the wildlife, these ducks must have come from a location where they are being pampered. As a rule, it is best not to feed wildlife as they need to develop the skills to feed themselves and the food people give wildlife may not be appropriate.

First: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO450

More Grey Teals

Posted on 15 December 2024 by E Y

On 9 November 2024, there were quite a few Grey Teals at the Oak Street Wetland. I managed to get there half an hour after sunrise. The sky was clear but the rising sun gave off a warm golden light – the so called golden hour.

A few Grey Teals swam pass me as I took advantage of the usual break in the reeds to get close to the water’s edge. The camera was held in front of me close to the surface of the water. The resulting photographs was that of the Teals from a low angle.

First: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO400

Second: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO250

A Little Pied Cormorant pose for a photograph

Posted on 13 December 2024 by E Y

The Little Pied Cormorant is a reasonable common bird of the Oak Street Wetland. While it does not always have a presence like the Eurasian Coote, there is a good chance of seeing one when you visit Oak Street.

This particular Cormorant appears to be posing for a photograph why it perched on a tree branch to dry off after a swim in the pond. It was taken on 8 November 2024. From the looks of it, it is a checky one.

Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO220

Grey Teal: a common Australian duck

Posted on 11 December 2024 by E Y

The Grey Teal is one of the most successful species of ducks in Australia. They can be found in most ponds and lakes. They co-exists with human very well. However, they are a relative large circle of fear. I have not seen a Grey Teal that have approached people even when enticed with food.

This is probably one of the better photographs of the Grey Teal I have taken. The water level at Oak Street Wetland was low. This allow me access to a edge of the pond through in break in the reeds. By holding the camera close to he surface of the water and utilising the fold out screen of the Z9, I manage to capture this image of a Grey Teal in the warm morning light. This was taken on 8 November 2024.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO450

Pacific Black Ducks are everywhere

Posted on 9 December 2024 by E Y

Another very common species in Australia is the Pacific Black Duck. They are so common that most wildlife photographers and birders do not bother to photograph them.

As part of my photographic quest, I want to photograph very species in Trin Warren Tam-boore incorporating the Oak Street Wetland. This is my attempt at the Black Duck during sunrise that cast a beautiful warm light on the subject. This particular photograph was taken on 8 November 2024.

Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO640

Silver Gull in flight

Posted on 1 December 2024 by E Y

Birders and photographers scorn at the Silver Gulls. They are common birds and often get in the way of humans. However, they are an extremely successful species that have learnt to live with people and take advantage of the circumstance. Unfortunately, they have a extremely annoying call that irritates a lot of people. They also steal food from people when they are unattended. Hence, they don’t have the best of reputations.

These photographs of a Silver Gull was taken on 4 November 2024 at the Oak Street Wetland. The sun is still rising and there is a slight hint of golden light on the Gull.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/2500s f/6.3 ISO280

Portrait of a Dusky Moorhen

Posted on 29 November 2024 by E Y

I was telling a birder that I have never taken a decent photograph of a Dusky Moorhen. He said that I had all the opportunity in the world at Oak Street Wetland and Trin Warren Tam-boore. As a photographer, I was never happy with a photograph taken while standing on a high bank shooting down at the bird.

Fortunately, on 4 November 2024, this Dusky Moorhen swam across my path as I was taking photographs of other water bird at Oak Street Wetland. The warm morning light caste a golden orange light on the Moorhen. Still it was a bit far away. I would have preferred the Moorhen to be closer to me. Nevertheless, it is my far my best picture of a Dusky Moorhen. I am hoping to do better next time.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO450.

Hardhead bathed in the morning light

Posted on 27 November 2024 by E Y

This photograph of female Hardhead was taken in the morning of 4 November 2024. The sun has just risen and the sky was relatively clear. It cast a beautiful warm light over Oak Street Weland.

The female Hardhead is distinguished from the males by the colour of her eyes. The females have dark eyes while the males have white eyes (male Hardhead).

Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO1100

Eurasian Coote: residents of Oak Street Wetland

Posted on 25 November 2024 by E Y

Since I started visiting Oak Street Wetland, there has always been the presence of the Eurasian Coote. I think we can safely say that the wetland is their permanent home. However, the population of Cootes is not constant but fluctuates over the seasons. You can count on seeing a Coote or two if you visit the wetland at any time of the year.

This photograph was taken on 4 November 2024 a few minutes after sunrise – the so-called golden hour. The inhabitants of the wetland was bathed in a beautiful warm tone of the rising sun. It makes waking up early for photography very rewarding.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO360

Australian Grebe in breeding plumage

Posted on 21 November 2024 by E Y

The Australian Grebes have shed they winter coat and put on their breeding plumage. In past years, the Grebes have built their nest at the Oak Street Wetland and produced a few chicks.

This year, the Grebe number seemed to be lower. At one point, I observed 3 Grebes but, recently, only 1 Grebe had been seen. Hopefully, there is at least another Grebe hiding in a nest in the midst of the reeds.

These photographs of the same Grebe is taken on 3 November 2024.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO5600

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