Sandys Adventures in 2008

17/5/2008 - Bird Life on the Broadwater.

Thursday morning, I woke early as I had to get my son's car over to the shop for a service by 7.30am. While it is on the other side of town, there was no point in me getting a ride home, so I threw my camera in the car and thought I would make the most of the 3 hours I needed to fill in. What could have ended up being a 20km walk, ended up being a wonderful time spent with a very hospitable subject on low tide in the Broadwater.This White-faced Heron startled me when I first discovered him in the grass but we went on to spend an hour and a half together. He showed no fear and would let me get to about 2 meters from him. It is the first Heron I have seen that I was able to get so close too. As the tide was going out, there was plenty of food for him to find, whether it was in the sand or up in the grass. Some of the colours in these photos I thought were really beautiful, it was just a perfect time to be photographing as the sun was rising.………………………………………………………………………I watched these feet absolutely mesmerized by them. First he starts digging in the sand with his beak then very slowly the foot comes up and it appears to be patting or softing the area he has dug at. Maybe the patting helps bring the critter to the surface. It really is something to watch.………Over 300 photos later, my friend decided it was time to go on his way.On my way I went again, searcing for whatever I could find. My next culprit was a one footed Black-tailed Godwit.……A gorgeous Crested Tern.… How can people call them Seagulls, there is a big difference. If only people would open their eyes.…This lone Pied Oysercatcher was another very co-operative candidate. I was able to get withing a couple of meters from him.…………One of the choices on the menu this morning for the birdlife as the tide was going out, was crab and lots of them.They are commonly known as Soldier Crabs.And my last shot for the day I only got one chance to get it. It was as this pelican floated past the reflection of a boat, creating beautiful colours in the water.