wings – LEE CLELAND

Wedge-tail Eagle.

Monday.

We had seen this Wedge-tail Eagle in the sky over Lake Ballard but on the last day found him roosting in a dead tree nearby. I managed some lovely shots of this majestic bird as he took off.

The Wedge-tail Eagle at Lake Ballard just taking off from his roost.

Now with wings fully extended ready for the down-beat.

Apostle birds are such social birds, they stick together in a flock and they always seem to be preening each other. The ones near my camp at the Warrumbungles were so intent on each other they didn’t care about me coming up within a foot or two to take photos. Or maybe they are really used to people here and the people who come here have never frightened or hurt them.

I don’t know if he was helping or hindering the other birds cleaning but it didn’t seem to mind.

And then they both continued cleaning their wings.

Little Black Cormorant.

Saturday.

The sun was still rising as I took these photos of a Little Black Cormorant landing on the lagoon at SW Rocks so it is more a silhouette than a bird shot. I love how they seem to sit up to cause drag in the water before finally coming to rest.

The Little Black Cormorant landing on the lagoon at SW Rocks.

Legs down to put the brakes on while landing.

Wing ready to be tucked back up after another successful water landing.

An Oystercatcher Showing Off.

Wednesday.

I’m not sure if this was a mating ritual or just an over eager Oystercatcher showing off. The other Oystercatcher didn’t seem at all impressed though she did hang around. It was a bit early for spring mating as it was still early July (we are in the Southern Hemisphere). The orange/red long beak against the black head and the patterns underneath his wings when the Oystercatcher made his ‘angel wings’ are very distinctive.

Look at me – Look at me! And she didn’t give a damm.

The same Oystercatcher trying to impress by doing the ‘Angel Wings’.

And Again the Hooded Plovers.

Wednesday.

One can never have too many images of these tiny Hooded Plovers. They are half the size of a tennis ball and if they stand still you could walk right by and never see them. A couple of times I was only metres from them before I saw them nearly under my feet and being unprepared missed ‘the’ shot. The tag reads ‘W5″ and this Hooded Plover lives near Eden.

They run quickly. Their little legs pumping and feet stretched out.

I thought he was going to fly but all he did was stretch his wings beautifully to their fullest extent.

Seagulls Landing Badly.

Sunday.

The antics of seagulls keep me entertained all the time. Some people say they are too common to bother with but I find them delightful as they are always doing ‘something. These couple of seagulls flew down to join the flock and managed two very different landings.

This seagull seemed to have its undercarriage collapse on landing, it didn’t hurt itself.

Making a statement when you land, a big splash!

	leecleland on The Unexpected Bird.
	wbarrysmith on The Unexpected Bird.
	leecleland on Wompoo Fruit-Dove
	Pepper on Wompoo Fruit-Dove
	leecleland on Wallabies at Lucky Bay.

Tag: wings

Wedge-tail Eagle.

More Apostle Birds.

Little Black Cormorant.

An Oystercatcher Showing Off.

And Again the Hooded Plovers.

Seagulls Landing Badly.

Flapping Around – Jacana

Fairy Wings.

Full Stretch