Tuesday 28 April 2020

Wild Bird Wednesday 405 - Comb-crested Jacana

A brief post this week - the whole lock down and working from home thing has left me frazzled.  I suspect that I am not alone in this regard.

These are pictures of Comb-crested Jacanas (Irediparra gallinacea) and a range of other names based on their ability to 'walk on water' - walk on floating vegetation if the truth be told.

This adult bird, and the young one, were on Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park.  The tour boat slowly drifted sideways into a path of 'lilies' and the birds were so close they were almost under the gunnels of the boat.  It made for an odd photographic experience,  and some slight odd angles.  The 'blobs' in some of the pictures are leaves that we being blown upright by an evening breeze.

If you enlarge the pictures you can see the blood vessels in the comb of the adult bird.  You can also see that these birds have very big feet even from a young age!











As ever you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers.

Stay safe, and stay home.  I'll try to get around to blog visits in the next day or so! SM

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19 comments:

  1. The birds are like petals, their feet are like spiders.

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  2. Hari OM
    That's a neat bird! Stay strong... YAM xx

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  3. A very unique bird! No wonder they can walk on vegetation - those feet! Beautiful photos!

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  4. Such a bright red comb and long legs. Interesting looking creature! Love it.

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  5. Jacanas are wonderful birds and capture the imagination of even the most disinterested of people. As far as I know I am unable to walk on water, but there have been times when Miriam told me that I have been skating on thin ice! I suspect that Sally may have admonished you in similar fashion!

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  6. They are very similar to the African Jacana but they have a blue hat instead of a pink one which is a bit more dramatic 😊 Keep safe, Diane

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  7. I see why those feet evolved for them to spread their weight over the lily pads. Ingenious!

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  8. Birds that walk on floating vegetation do look so strange with those huge feet. Guess it distributes the weight to make it possible to do so. Same for the water walkers here in the States.

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  9. yes I can imagine the stress it is at home with the children having to be home school and you working as well. I do not envy you at all. This is a fantastic bird and lovely to see the one of one of them Thanks for hosting. Stay safe, and hope you week goes well

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  10. Walking on those feet is quite a feat! They sure do come in handy. Stay safe!

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  11. Stunning pictures Stewart. This bird is amazing.
    Friendship

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  12. We are all in unprecedented Waters doing the best we can. I salute you oh, and your wonderful pictures, S

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  13. Another new bird for me. What a nice crown!

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  14. Amazing creatures of Nature!
    All the best. Stay safe.

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  15. Another never heard of, never seen bird, Stewart. You are a "walking encyclopedia"!!!...:)jp

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  16. Gorgeous birds! I get frazzled too. So disappointed about my favorite events not happening, and the finest parks and gardens are closed. But going to the store is especially nerve-wracking, because there are all sorts of new rules and even so I don't feel secure. I've had trouble sleeping, which is unusual for me. I hope things get better soon.

    In the meantime, the natural world is enjoying a break from our usual busy-ness.

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  17. The diversity even amongst birds in our world is amazing. Those feet!!

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  18. Great photos!
    Amazing bird from the red crested head to those enormous feet!
    Thanks for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday!

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  19. Hello again!
    Thanks for your comment on my blog.
    I am thankful that I live in a rural area so we do not feel crowded and enclosed. We wear masks and use hand sanitizer whenever we go anywhere, but there are not many places to go. Only 'essential' businesses are still open. Restaurants are struggling - no dine-in seating allowed, carry-out food only.
    My husband and I are both retired. Fuel prices are low so sometimes we just get in the car and drive around without stopping anywhere. It is Spring here in the USA, and it is really beautiful when we have sunny weather.
    Hope you have a good week!

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