A Short Darter Study

[Mongo]

The first two were taken on a very cool overcast day.
D4s and 200 -  500mm

the last two on a day of mixed light. The last image is just for fun and a reminder that “ET” is alive, well and living amongst us somewhere
D800E and AFS 11 600mm f4

Mongo is no expert but suspects that the first two are a different species to the last two.

[pluton]

Beautiful shots; the shape-defining lighting makes them stand out.

[Ann]

Terrific photographs!

Species of these Darters (Anhingas) seem to live in warmer places all round the globe, (I have seen and photographed them in Borneo, in Southern Africa and in Florida).

The ones that I have seen have very different colouring depending on whether they are male, female or juveniles so that may account for the differing colours of your birds?

Where did you find these beauties?

[Mongo]

Thank you Pluton and Ann for your kind comments.

Ann, these were taken around the artificially created lake at Olympic Park (the major site for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games) which is approximate 30 km west of the Sydney CBD. Yes, varying colours are often the indicator of age or gender of the bird but you have to be a real bird person to know that. Mongo is just a keen photographer who happens to find birds very interesting and very often comes across them in the national parks and similar locations that Mongo frequents.

It would be nice to see the variations you have captured in some interesting parts of the world you have mentioned

[Hugh_3170]

I particularly like the first two images and I think the fact  that they are almost B&W images further helps accentuate their shape - a nice effect.

[David Paterson]

Superb. All are very fine but #1 is a clear favourite, imho, for the wonderful display of the bird's fllight-feathers and the subtle but very effective PP which has given them exactly the right emphasis.

[Akira]

The first one is exemplary, but somehow I'm attracted to the last image showing rather funny side of the bird. 

[Mongo]

thank you Hugh, David and Akira. Appreciated your views and the CC.
Akira, also glad you liked the amusing side offered in the last image.

[Jakov Minić]

Mongo, that third image with the transluscent beak is extra special

[Mongo]

Mongo, that third image with the transluscent beak is extra special

very big thanks Jakov. Sometimes you can get lucky if the light is favourable.

[Nasos Kosmas]

The framing and the 3D pop up of the first photo looks excellent to me 

[timh]

Great shots Mongo,
I like the last one, don't often see a bird from that angle.

[Peter Connan]

All of them are lovely!

[Mongo]

thanks again all for looking in and for your kind comments.

[tommiejeep]

Mongo, excellent images.  I shoot many Darters but rarely close  .  I have several books but the proper description of Darters is pretty sketchy in all but the first two images appear to be Juvenile Darter.  Unusually I can not find good description for difference between Male/female and nothing about Breeding Plumage.  The Indian Darter is "Anhinga Melanogaster".   I cannot find any of images shot with 500 f4G vr only 300 2.8G vr w/TC's.
Well done and thanks for sharing.
Tom