Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Vexillology and flexibility.....!

The Black Swan has sat on the gold disc of the WA state badge on the Western Australia flag since 1870, back then the swan was facing away from the hoist..it changed direction in 1953 to conform to the 'Vexillology ' guideline that animals on flags must face the hoist so when carried on a pole the animal faces the same direction as the bearer, hmmm! you sure find out some interesting facts blogging! Oh what I'd give for a neck half as flexible as this (I'd settle for a quarter).....
Up until now I've not been lucky enough to catch a Black Swan with it's wings spread, but when I was on the beach very early a few mornings ago, I just had enough time to swing the camera up and catch this wedge of swans as they flew past overhead in their trademark 'V' formation, and although not the best shot (apparently my reflexes are as stiff as my neck haha!) you can see the white flight feathers on the underside of the wings and their extraordinarily long undulating necks stretched out in front. Quite a wonderful sight really. Have a good Wednesday, take care and stay safe.....


30 comments:

  1. Majestueux. Superbe. And my, how blue the sky is in your part of the world, Grace :-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  2. I love the black swans and terrific shots -- the ones in flight are awesome! And, oh, your blue, blue skies!! Hope your week is going well, Grace!! Take care and enjoy!!

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  3. Great pictures! My favorite is the first one. I guess they have nothing to do with Nassim Nicholas Taleb's theory...

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  4. Well, this swan reminds me of a Chinese dancer I watched on a clip two days ago. I couldn't believe what she can do. Definitely, the woman has no bones! LOL! I like the top shot very much.

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  5. I particulary love the last one...
    Best regards from Paris,

    Pierre

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  6. It's always funny to see how clumsy they're on the ground, and how beautyful they become when flying!

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  7. Nice shots Grace..... i like black swans very much.

    Greetings, Joop

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  8. Super shots and very interesting too!

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  9. Okay...now I've learned something! Vexilloglogy and animals. Who knew?! The 'V' formation you captured is terrific. I always wonder: How do they know which place to take in the formation?

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  10. Wonderful shots, Grace! I never knew that swans flew in such numbers to have a V formation. We often see geese and ducks flying overhead like that but I have never seen swans.

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  11. Well, that would make sense to have the swan following you - I have never seen a swan walk or swim backwards!
    Your black swans are a wonderful sight. We have mute and trumpeter swans here and it is hard to get a good shot of them in flight.

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  12. The V formation photo gets my vote.

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  13. I would settle for just having a slender neck like them!! HA!
    Gorgeous pics Grace and they are just lovely to watch, a truly beautiful bird. (Swans and ducks!)

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  14. I have never seen swans flying, but pelicans are quite spectacular to watch in flight.

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  15. You have such exotic birds:) Love the ducks especially. I just found my first exotic swans this weekend. Such beautiful birds!

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  16. I had no idea animals had to face the flag bearer, talk about fun facts!:) Lovely captures all, I don't think I've seen swans in flight, so beautiful!

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  17. Yes, would be great to have such movement. Wonderful last image ! Please have a good Wednesday.

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  18. What you do in service of your blog! Early morning observations of black swans!

    Ummm . . . vexillology? Now, that is a word you never expected to use in a sentence. Heck, it is a word you never knew was a word. Me neither.

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  19. That really is a beautiful sight. I don't think I've ever seen swans flying in person. I'd give quite a lot for a flexible neck lately instead of this one that seems to creek and groan as I move my shoulders and head.

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  20. A rare day: you have taught me at least two pieces of fascinating trivia. I just looked up our state flag. We have two bears facing each other. They don't know whether they are coming or going.

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  21. Magnificent black swan, I'm always delighted by these adorable critters and you got great pictures!
    Hugs and a nice day!
    Léia

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  22. great capture of them flying. I wonder how they choose the leader?

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  23. Lovely photos and I also learned a new word!

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  24. Lovely pictures, I like the last one, we see that often those birds flying over in a V-formation.

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  25. Fantastic capture of them flying. Some days you just get lucky with a snap like that.

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  26. Oh, I love this. I saw a black swan in Melbourne a couple of years ago. (Oh and 'snap' because I had swans in my pics today.)

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