I always look for the pair of Black Swans that are usually there but this time there were about 10 of them. I found it hard to get a good count as I was focused in on my photos and they were constantly moving. There was one pair with fairly young juveniles. The young ones were still in their grey plumage.
The numbers and varieties of ducks changes with the seasons. This is a Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).It is common over most of Australia where there is water.
This is a Hardhead (Aythya australis). This is a male - the female has a dark eye.
These two birds are very common - an Australian White Ibis and a Dusky Moorhen.
I only looked at the main pond but if you walk around and watch carefully there are lots of other birds around. Go over to my friend's blog (Out and about in Cooloola) and see what she photographed just one day after I went there!
Even the most common of birds are interesting to observe.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to see the birds, they look close. I love the black swans, ducks and the cool looking Ibis. Great photos, enjoy your week ahead!
ReplyDeleteNice to see familiar looking birds from the other side of the world. ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos for the day, Mick!! Oh, and I do LOVE those black swans!! Fantastic!! Thank you so much for sharing these with us today!! Have a great week!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of all the birds at the Lake Alford the Hardhead reflection is great.
ReplyDeleteThe back swans are so elegant and beautifully shot by you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to see the Hardhead, a relative of the other athyas we get here - Pochard, Tufted Duck and Scaup being the main ones.
ReplyDeleteLoving the beautiful park...but am thrilled with all your swan photos!!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely waterfowl. Like the look and name of the Hardhead.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely place for a wander and a good number of birds.Lovely tosee the BlackSwans and their young.
ReplyDeleteWOW WOW WOW! I've heard about Black Swans and they are amazing but the ducks! Those are brand new to me. What a great place to stop and count birds. I would love to explore spots like these. Great photos. A Hardhead...what a name!
ReplyDeleteThe black swan is a beauty. I have seen it a couple of times in different places. The way it lifts the plumage looks odd. Not at all like the Mute swan.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful swans and ducks, and really nice photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a Beautiful day!
Peace :)
We just saw white swans out on an man made lake. Black would be even better.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeletewonderful shots! the pacific black duck has such interesting markings on its head, especially for such a drab rest of the body
ReplyDeleteBeautiful swans! Loved the ducks, ibis and moorhens too!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful shots of mostly exotic (to me) waterfowl. And as you say, quite different from you. I enjoyed it. Good to have accessible wildlife... for kids and old people;)).
ReplyDeleteLovely shots. The black swans are especially handsome birds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds and wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder what sort of conversations went on when Europeans first saw black swans. I think they must have been a bit surprised to say the least.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Very, very lovely. The Black Swans remind me of something that was shared on Facebook recently and I shared it this week. It is a video clip and it not on FB may be able to type in the words on Google search for... Black Swans feeding the Koi Fish. Absolutely amazing footage of a real nature bonus~
ReplyDeletereally beautiful! and perfectly tamed down to pose, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the black swans. We don't have them here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice sunny relaxing spot...you don't see many types of those birds here just the more common varieties.
ReplyDeleteSuperb collection of flora and fauna!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Galah in particular - like nothing I have ever seen before!
Have a Happy Week!
Peace :)