Thursday, November 1, 2012

Close encounters of the feathered kind .....

Taking a break from our walk around Lake Monger at the weekend, we sat for a while on the bank to check out the bird life swimming around the waters edge (ulterior motives) being on the hunt for an 'at the waters edge' type of shot, with if possible a glimpse of the city in the background..My luck was well in..I have my glimpse of the city, and a very 'up close and personal' with a Black Swan who waddled out of the water right up to where I was lying (see the tip of my sneaker above), after checking me out with his beady eyes (they can give quite a nip), he waddled back, stuck his head down into the murky water to search for something a bit more tasty! Back in 1827 they were considered rather tasty themselves, causing botanist Charles Fraser to worry about their survival.Have a happy Thursday, take care....Click here to view all participants of this theme day.

50 comments:

  1. Well, this is prettier than your tarantula and bat, but still, if I were lying down and a swan came that close I would be scared.

    Did they really kill and eats swans in the 1800?? Tsk tsk.

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  2. What a handsome guy!! Definitely a great "close encounter"! Terrific captures, Grace! That's one time to be glad that you weren't "appetizing"!! Hope your week is going well!!

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  3. Black swans are rare here, only really found in collections, but the white ones can be pretty fierce. You must not have looked too threatening, Grace.

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  4. wow, I seldom see this kind and color of swans... I like how their red beak stands out.

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  5. I don't think I've ever seen a black swan!

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  6. Maravillosas Fotografías con estos originales y dulces seres.
    Un abrazo.

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  7. You were lucky. I've been chased by, well, not black swans, but big old geese and they can hurt! 'Tis a beauty of a beast, though!

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  8. you were so lucky to him come up so close, great photos.

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  9. I hardly see black swans here. I am always a bit scary when they come close, they can reach you so quick with their mouth.

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  10. That answers my question as to whether they do bite or not. Most of ours have numbered neck bands but I don't see any bands on yours.

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  11. Happy Theme Day, great to see your state bird close up.

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  12. That's one I need for my lifelist. I've heard they can be quite nasty....but boy are they one beautiful goose:)

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  13. Never seen before. Must be a great environment where alike is possible. Please have a good new month ahead.

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  14. Great Swan shot! Now ... Pilchards life would be complete if ONLY there was a freckled duck in the background!!!!

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  15. A beautiful bird!

    We have some white swans and a couple of black ones that are released onto the river nearby each summer. They've been taken off to winter quarters now...

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  16. Have a H(͡๏̯͡๏)T'ing Halloween!

    I've never seen a black Swan. So thank you for sharing!

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  17. It's always interesting to see Australia slide into one season while we go the opposite way. Not too bad here yet but my sister in New Jersey says they do not expect power for another week and the house is getting pretty cold.

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  18. A handsome fellow Grace, superb pics and see! you are so too going to make a fine 'birder'. :)

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  19. Those toe-tip shots are cool. There were no Black Swans - until there WERE!
    A fine lesson to us all. and a fun post (as always) Aloha from Waikiki, my Friend
    Comfort Spiral

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  20. With all the wet weather we're having in Chennai, it is nice to see such a peaceful picture. And lovely, those swans and ducks.

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  21. Two beautiful shots. Isn't it wondeful when you plan a photo shoot and it turns out?! The swan is a real beauty.

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  22. Black swans are rare around here, I don't think I've ever seen one in person.

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  23. I forgot to answer your question on my site. No, they don't do hardly anything for Christmas. Halloween must be their favorite holiday.

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  24. Great shot for your theme. He sure did get close up and you captured him well. They are native to Australia aren't they?

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  25. This one's a beauty and love it as a theme day pick! Now I have to wonder what they taste like...perhaps like a duck or goose would... :)

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  26. They are odd birds with their long necks aren't they. Happy Theme Day Grace.

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  27. Had never seen one of these lovely swans before- how lovely with that red beak- wish we could send some of our aggressive white swans over to you for some black ones Grace!

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  28. Wow, like some others, i have never seen a black swan before either. I am featuring it's white brother and sister today :) Love your city in the background shot

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  29. You lucky thing having black swans pose for you. Greta pics.

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  30. That red beak makes it even more distinctive. My experience of swans has been like that with geese: they get upset and chase and bite if I've come too close. Nice that you could get in there for these super shots!
    -Kim

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  31. we could use a few black swans swans to add some colour to our mutes and trumpeters.

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  32. I'm so envious to see that you have so much sun (and black swans of course). I don't think we have them in France, but I'm no expert.

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  33. What a beautiful bird! There is one golf course here that has black swans. Apparently they help keep the Canada geese at bay. :)

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  34. Of course you had a zillion WATER opportunities in Perth. That black swan is stunning. Bravo.
    V

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  35. Never seen a black swan before, thank you, Grace!

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  36. This was a unique capture for the November theme day, Grace.

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  37. Wonderful images and choice for the theme, Grace!
    And, you do indeed show the beauty of Perth through your lovely blog.

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  38. Well he certainly is not shy! Fantastic shots. By the way, that was a great blue heron in my Theme Day post.

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  39. Honestly Grace, I think he is eyeing you with suspicion!

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  40. Love your choice for the theme day. Thank you for sharing it with us all.

    Have a great month!

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  41. i don't think i've ever seen a black swan before....beautiful images!

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  42. Great shots, the first one with the city in the background is a superb choice for the day!

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