Nature walks with my camera: Swan Lake #1, Philip Island

Every time I go to Phillip Island I like to take a trip out to Swan Lake. I have memories of this place when I was a kid. I remember it was a really hot day and we were walking along the boardwalk overlooking the mutton bird nests and there were massive Red-belly Black Snakes EVERYWHERE!

In reality there were probably on a couple of snakes and looking into it now they were more likely Lowland Copperheads which are common on the Island and vary in colours of black, light brown and red (hence why people are commonly mistaking them for Red-bellies.)

Lowlands Copperhead, Austrelaps superbus

Once safely past the snakes it's a quick walk to the bird hides.

Superb Fairy-wren (male) Malurus cyaneus

Black Swan, Cygnus atratus

This adult Spoonbill had a very needy young bird following it around wanting food! The young bird will continue to hassle it's parents for food for several weeks before it will try on it's own.
The structure of their bill is quite interesting. Apparently, they can only forage in water that is less than 40cm's deep. As they sweep their bill side to side through the water, vibration detectors on the inside of the spoon feel for prey. These detectors allows them to feed throughout the night as well.

Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia

Hoary-headed Grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus

This cute little guy had just caught a dragonfly for lunch.

White-fronted Chat, Epthianura albifrons

Here's an interesting looking Duck - the Musk Duck, named after the strong musk odour produced from a gland on the rump. Pretty sure I was up-wind that day because I couldn't smell anything!