Sunday, November 22, 2009

Bath Time

I frequently see Pied Oystercatchers around the bay but the other morning I was close to one as it took its morning wash and brush up! It was a very thorough wash - no skimping anywhere. Some parts were done more than once! I was on the kayak and just drifted in close and the bird took no notice of me at all.
Face and head right underwater to start with.
Splash one side first - thoroughly - and then give that side a good comb with the foot.
Now the other side - and use the other foot for that side.
Preen down the front
Preen the back
A good flap with the wings as it stepped out of the water
A final shake of the tail
The mate was standing only a few feet away - "Very nice dear! You look quite smart!"
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25 comments:

  1. SnailNovember 22, 2009 at 1:47 PM

    I'm probably anthropomorphising, but it looks to me as though birds really enjoy their baths.

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  2. mickNovember 22, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    Yes - well I think I was anthropomorphising as well the way I posted - but I'd agree with you - the splashing around was for fun I'm sure!

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  3. MosuraNovember 22, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    LOL - great sequence! And he/she really does look quite smart toward the end.

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  4. Denis WilsonNovember 22, 2009 at 4:17 PM

    Great sequence, Mick.
    You are simply reporting the events as they panned out before you - except perhaps the last comment, but we are all human. And humans are part of nature, too. We share feelings and emotions with other animals.
    Cheers
    Denis

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  5. mickNovember 22, 2009 at 4:31 PM

    Hi Mosura, it was fun to watch - and I've never been this close to a Pied Oystercatcher before.

    Hi Denis, Yes, well, I couldn't resist that last comment. The second bird just stood there and watched the whole procedure.

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  6. tilcheffNovember 22, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    What a great series of photos, Mick! And a very nicely told story! Enjoyed reading it a lot.
    -N

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  7. mickNovember 22, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    Thanks Nickolay.

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  8. Midmarsh JohnNovember 22, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    I am always surprised just how thoroughly birds bathe. That was a brilliant series of shots. It would have made a great video shoot.

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  9. mickNovember 22, 2009 at 7:28 PM

    Hi John, thanks for your comments - but please don't wish for a video camera as well! I have enough trouble managing one camera at a time while sitting in the kayak! Maybe there should be a second person out with me to manage one as well :-)

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  10. eileeninmdNovember 22, 2009 at 9:47 PM

    A great series of bath time photos. What a great sighting.

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  11. GouldiaeNovember 23, 2009 at 5:53 AM

    G'day Mick,
    Nice series. It was a very accommodating bird. Always good to watch the birds and animals go about their business as though we weren't present.
    Regards,
    Gouldiae.

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  12. mickNovember 23, 2009 at 7:43 AM

    Hi Eileen and thanks for your comments.

    Hi Gouldiae, I am most pleased with photos where the birds are ignoring me - even where photos show them with their eyes closed - which are not great photos but certainly show I am not disturbing them!

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  13. Tyto TonyNovember 23, 2009 at 3:08 PM

    Lovely series. Seems often easier to get close to birds when they're intent on washing and/or preening.

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  14. mickNovember 23, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    Hi Tony, that's a very interesting observation - hopefully I can put it to the test soon.

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  15. AnonymousNovember 24, 2009 at 4:21 AM

    Nice - lucky you to get so close to watch and take photos. I love the tail shake at the end!

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  16. mickNovember 24, 2009 at 5:12 AM

    Thanks Wren, and the tail shake is just what my dog does when I give her a bath!

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  17. Bob KaufmanNovember 24, 2009 at 6:00 AM

    Great series of shots, Mick! I have yet to see an Oystercatcher take a bath here in my neck of the woods.

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  18. KellyNovember 24, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    ...haha! Fantastic series of the Oystercatcher. I enjoyed it!

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  19. LarryNovember 25, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    I loved this series Mick. Great shots of the Pied Oystercatcher. I really like the 5th shot that shows the beak really well, with the reflection.

    I am seriously thinking about a kayak for photographing water fowl and other lake and river dwelling species. I have heard so many reports of getting really close to birds while traveling via kayak.

    Besides, there is a Belted Kingfisher nest site I would really like to photograph next breeding season.

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  20. UnknownNovember 25, 2009 at 4:09 PM

    Snicker - this series is amazing :D
    I've never seen a bird show off his bathing ritual.
    I'm glad you could capture these shots, I would not have believed you otherwise ;)

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  21. Mary Howell CromerNovember 25, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    What great photos and I love how you described them. I had never heard of this bird, a lovely one too~

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  22. mickNovember 25, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    Thanks for commenting Kelly, Bob and Cynthia, Larry, Nicole, and Mary.

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  23. NatureFootstepNovember 26, 2009 at 2:49 AM

    great serie of images on teh bathtaking bird.

    We are supposed to have it here, but I have yet to spot it.

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  24. FABNovember 27, 2009 at 3:48 AM

    Lovely 'bathtime' post and observation Mick.

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  25. mickNovember 27, 2009 at 3:58 AM

    Thanks Naturefootsteps and Frank.

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