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Kangaroos in the streets?
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[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Well, no kangaroos in the streets, but a picnic by the river will always attract wild Black Swans looking for an easy meal.
Some fill-flash in this pic.
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The Australian Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), is common in the southern parts of Australia including the island-state of Tasmania. They are highly nomadic and have spread as far as New Zealand. They are also popular in zoos and private lakes, becoming very tame and breeding freely. There are currently some Black Swans living quite happily on the Thames in the UK.
Closest relative of the European Mute Swan, the Black Swan swims with the same arched neck and raised "elbows", attaining the classis swan 'look'. In flight it has a beautiful, far carrying bugle-like call, while at rest it has softer, crooning sounds. When responding to a threat, they issue a sharp hissing.
A final note: the swans in this pic were being offered nothing more than a handful of grass in a bucket, at which they turned up their noses (metaphorically speaking of course). If swans are going to be fed, they should always be fed on the water. Although feeding them on land encourages them to leave the water and leads to the sort of close contact depicted, it can also lead to close contact with dogs, an encounter not always to a swan's advantage.
regards,
Sheldon (shel) |
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- Kris
(1818) - [2005-07-16 15:04]
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Very beautiful colour and detail.
Regards.
Two species heling each other out, Shel! I like this a lot; it shows how humans can interact with nature quite well--though I'm sure some would suggest, perhaps, that swans can eat healthier without human help. Oh well. Nice shot!