A swan. Specifically, a Black Swan. Scientifically, a Cygnus atratus. Unlike the penguin, the ostrich and the emu, these birds can fly. Sometimes. After the breeding season they moult and during this part of the year they can't fly. Presumably nature meant that this would mean that they stayed near their young, keeping them safe. In practice during the 21st century this means that they sometimes - not so safely - end up walking across St Kilda Road as they trundle between Albert Park Lake and the Botanic Gardens. - Anthony Holmes' Photos- powered by SmugMug

Anthony Holmes' Photos

The more we walk, the longer the walks seem to become. On Sunday 7th December 2008 we walked around Albert Park Lake and found a large variety of bird life. Most of the bird photos in this gallery were photographed using my 70-300 lens which, sadly, following a walk in a rainstorm at Mount Buffalo earlier this year now needs to be focussed manually: which is a very delicate manoeuvre, since long lenses need to be spot on to get a sharp picture.

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Anthony Holmes > A view towards the skyline of Melbourne from the south eastern corner of Albert Park Lake.

Technical explanation behind the image: Three images with -2, 0 and +2 exposure combined as a High Dynamic Range image to provide details in clouds, trees and buildings. Converted to black & white with a red filter (to accentuate the clouds and lighten the trees). Clarify tool used. Noise added to 'roughen' the image.

Anthony Holmes > A swan. Specifically, a Black Swan. Scientifically, a Cygnus atratus.

Unlike the penguin, the ostrich and the emu, these birds can fly. Sometimes. After the breeding season they moult and during this part of the year they can't fly. Presumably nature meant that this would mean that they stayed near their young, keeping them safe. In practice during the 21st century this means that they sometimes - not so safely - end up walking across St Kilda Road as they trundle between Albert Park Lake and the Botanic Gardens.

Anthony Holmes > See the mother swan. See her cygnets. See mother swan swim. See mother swan's cygnets swim.

Anthony Holmes > Awww. Duckling!

It's probably a little (Pacific) Black Duck. But ducks are tricky. Not only do you have species, you also have hybrids.

Anthony Holmes > Aaaaawwwwwww. Another ducking. Even smaller than the other one.

It's also likely to be a little (Pacific) Black Duck.

Anthony Holmes > A couple of rather large Little Pied Cormorants (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos) sitting on tree branches that don't quite seem large enough to carry them.

Anthony Holmes > This Pied Cormorant is looking rather self confident as he poses for his self-portrait.

Anthony Holmes > My bird book describes this one as 'unmistakable', so, no matter how many other birds I've misidentified, hopefully I've got this one right:

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra). Slate-grey waterhen, darker on head with pure white bill and bill shield.

Anthony Holmes > The Bolte Bridge is shimmering in the distance.

A swan. Specifically, a Black Swan. Scientifically, a Cygnus atratus.

Unlike the penguin, the ostrich and the emu, these birds can fly. Sometimes. After the breeding season they moult and during this part of the year they can't fly. Presumably nature meant that this would mean that they stayed near their young, keeping them safe. In practice during the 21st century this means that they sometimes - not so safely - end up walking across St Kilda Road as they trundle between Albert Park Lake and the Botanic Gardens.