Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus longirostris) are a common sight around the bay. Sometimes I even see flocks of a dozen or so roosting together. However, pairs of Pied Oystercatchers stay in the same territory year after year and these ones are decreasing. The pair I photographed for this post have a permanent territory around the Mullens shorebird roost.
such great looking birds! wearing that orange beak, loud and proud! :)
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThe oystercatchers are one of my favorites! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteWonderful images Mick.
ReplyDeletewow the second one was a great moment! Bet you couldn't wait to get home and edit and see how it came out.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots!
ReplyDeleteWhat vibrant red eyes they have.
Lovely birds, and beautifully photographed, Mick.
ReplyDeleteDenis
These are great shots, I love the wings outstretched.
ReplyDeleteoooohhhh they are just too cute with their carrot nose and matching eyes!!
ReplyDeleteI remember how surprised I was the first time I saw an oyster catcher. They're easy to spot with those bright bills!
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Mick! Love that second shot!
ReplyDeleteLove the striking eyes!
ReplyDeleteomplWhat a cute pair of birds!
ReplyDeleteI totally adore these guys!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the pair.
Great shots Mick! What a lovely bird.
ReplyDeleteI am sure I captured a couple of those out at Redcliffe last year as the sun was setting (mostly silhouettes)... I must go back to the same spot and try to capture them during the day.
They are great these birds!
ReplyDeleteThey always look like they know how to have fun!
ReplyDeletewow, what a surprice when I scrolled down and saw the last shot. It is amazing. A rare shot! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, they are impressive looking birds up close. The shot of the bird with the wings extended is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWow, they are really great shots Mick. I have never seen one with it's wings up. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice action and detail in these shote, Mick!
ReplyDeleteGreat images and info, Mick! They must be very competitive to hold on to a permanent territory - what hard life!
ReplyDeleteGreat catches!
ReplyDeleteTerrific shots, Mick! Love to see the stretching bird too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting bird, and great shots!
ReplyDeleteHi there - I have just returned from the wild, woolly and less that wonderful world of wireless only internet - so now I'm catching up.
ReplyDeleteOystercatchers are great birds – just come back from some time at the coast, and I saw them every day. That’s rather special for us suburban types!
Cheers - Stewart M - Australia
Hi there - that wing up pose is very similar to the one in my picture. I wonder if it means something in 'oystercatcher'.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne