Well, I am back in lockdown, and although I know it's the best thing we can do until we have high vaccination rates, I cant say that I am very pleased about the situation. I was actually driving away for the weekend when the announcement was made. As the Sat Nav said "route recalculation".
These are Australasian Swamphens (Porphyrio melanotus) found in Australia, New Zealand, PNG and Indonesia. These birds live in a small wet-land that is (happily) inside my lockdown travel zone so I was able to spend a bit of time there this weekend. (I also saw two dog fights, a bicycle accident and a near fight as a result of the accident - in the end I just went home!)
I really like these birds.
To join in with WBW just click the link. Hope you are all well and vaccinated! cheers SM
Sorry to hear you are back in lockdown. Am I right in thinking this looks a little like our moorhen.
ReplyDeleteYes another lockdown for you must be a bummer Stewart. We3 re not doing so good here in Northern Ireland but not in lockdown. Great shots of the Swamphen. Thanks for hosting, stay safe adn have a good week ahead.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteCrikey, that sounds eventful - maybe home is the safest place for all sorts of reasons! Love the images, so thanks for braving the wilds. YAM xx
A very handsome bird that I remember well, Stewart. Sorry to hear that you have been plunged into lockdown again. Is this ever going to be over?
ReplyDeleteStriking bird, S! Stay safe friend
ReplyDeleteYes to both (Vaxed and Lockdown). Looking forward to being free as a bird...see what I did there?? ;) :)
ReplyDeleteWe have the grey-headed swamphen that looks very similar. Great shots! Sorry to hear about the lockdown.
ReplyDeleteOur introduced Gray-headed Swamphens appear quite dull in comparison to this species. Their eyes are not intensely red as are those of the Australian species. While I usually see a dozen or more in our wetlands I only found one during two recent walks. I believe that the high water conditions may have dispersed them, though there is plenty of spikerush, their favorite food.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots...Striking red!! Sorry about the lockdown..This will never end..Just got a message on my phone that white tailed deer are contracting Covid..My step daughter said that it is sadly being found in many mammals.. Sorry your outing was not more serene...Enjoy the rest of your week..no birdies to share this week.
ReplyDeleteSuch a handsome bird in its navy and red.
ReplyDeleteNeat looking bird!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent bird. So frustrating about the lockdown and continued rising rates of Covid, and still, so many won't get vaccinated.
ReplyDeleteI love!!!... Beautiful pictures!!! Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteTerrific photographs, Stewart! As Kenneth mentioned above, our introduced swamphens are not nearly so attractive.
ReplyDeleteKeeping you in our thoughts during the lockdown.
It's like a moorhen. It's not nice to be in a lockdown again.
ReplyDeleteYes numbers are spiking here too and we are back in certain restraints. Of course this is just pressure added on pressure and some people are not handling it well. Please take care of yourself and we will come through the other end. Aloha and best wishes
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