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Inspiring and Supporting Photographers of Australian Birds

Black Swan

Black Swan (Image ID 45105)
Photographed byMichael Hamel-Green on Wed 24th Feb, 2021 and uploaded on Wed 3rd Mar, 2021 .
Resolution994x1400
Viewed256
ID45105
CommentWe see Black Swans as entirely black as they cruise serenely across our lakes and inlets. Yet, as this photo reveals, they have the most beautiful pure white fringes to their outer wings, above and below, particularly visible when they are in flight. This one has descended, skidded along the water, suddenly braked, stretched out its wings, and reached upwards to bugle a message to its fellows. “Here I am. I have arrived.” The background helps place the swan within its preferred wetland habitat. Their calls can be as bleak as the remote swamps and wetlands where they are often found. As Judith Wright writes on seeing Black Swans fleeing drought and heat: “Night after night the swans came in-/the lake at morning rocked them there….On rushing wings the black swans turned/sounding aloud their desolate cry”(“Black Swans” in “Birds: Poems by Judith Wright” , National Library of Australia, 2003).
EquipmentNikonZ7ii Nikon 300mm f4 PF TC1.4 420mm ISO 1250 1/8000th f5.6
LocationWerribee Treatment Plant, Werribee, Victoria
Keywordsadult, behaviour/display
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