Shovelers DSC_2318
A pair of Australasian Shovelers taken at a local wetland. Apparently these are both males with one going into eclipse plumage, or possibly coming out of eclipse. They are reasonably common I think but this is a first for me. They were at the otherside of the wetland so I couldn't get the detail I was after so will have to go back. I didn't realise they were so pretty and you can't go past those spectacular bills.
These birds are filter feeders and use special grooves along the edges of the bill to filter insects, crustaceans and a variety of plants from the water.
I enjoyed the afternoon watching them feed in the later afternoon light.
Shovelers DSC_2318
A pair of Australasian Shovelers taken at a local wetland. Apparently these are both males with one going into eclipse plumage, or possibly coming out of eclipse. They are reasonably common I think but this is a first for me. They were at the otherside of the wetland so I couldn't get the detail I was after so will have to go back. I didn't realise they were so pretty and you can't go past those spectacular bills.
These birds are filter feeders and use special grooves along the edges of the bill to filter insects, crustaceans and a variety of plants from the water.
I enjoyed the afternoon watching them feed in the later afternoon light.