I hadn't been to the Laratinga wetlands for a couple of months and was surprised to see how much the water levels in the various lakes have dropped.Thick algae is on the surface of some areas while others have dried up completely. All part of the natural cycle and the birds don't seem to mind, makes for for some nice contrasting shots.
Cheers
Lovely photos
I'm trying to give them names, as I couldn't find them on your photos.
1- Dusky Moorhen
2-Black-fronted Plover
3- 2 juvenile Dusky Moorhens
4-female Chestnut Teal
5-Spotted Crake
6-Pacific Black Duck (?)
7-Buff-banded Rail
Hope I got them right???
M-L
Pretty close but I think number three are young purple swamphen according to an ID I got earlier today. I am hopeless at IDs so will welcome any confimations
I'd say 2 is a Black-fronted Dotterel.
Thanks zosterops, you are correct. We get both Black Fronted and Red Kneed around here. Cheers
The Black-fronted Plover is now also called Black-fronted Dotterel. Charadrius melanops. Some book (Simpson&Day)
still call it . like I did Plover.
As for the two juvenile Dusky Moorhens, I will post a photo soon. I see both kind every day on my walk around the local lake, took some photos yesterday.
M-L
Here is a photo of mother and juvenile, although not the best photo, I chose it because you can clearly see both bird's beaks. Dusky Moorhens.
M-L
What a great series of photos, Rick. I love the Buff-banded Rail and I agree with M-L's ident of the Dusky Moorhen juveniles. I must visit Laratinga when I'm next in Adelaide. I've heard that it's a fantastic location.
Cheers,
George
Melbourne, VIC
messy little beggars
That algae surely does make for stunning contrast there Rick, beautiful set of shots, and such a variety of birdlife too. Must have been such a fantastic day?
West Coast Tasmania
Thanks George/Annie, it is a great location.Even though it gets a fair amount of traffic the birdlife is still very wary which is good,well worth a visit. Visit for these shots was last Friday so very hot and very few people which made for a relaxed time. Had to stay hidden for about an hour for the Buff-banded Rail. Cheers