Black Swan

Posted by Helen (Melbourne, Australia) on 18 July 2007 in Animal & Insect.

I took this photo of the Black Swan Cygnus atratus in Melbourne the other day. This is one of a pair of wild swans swimming along the Yarra River, looking for scraps from people strolling along Southbank.

The black swan is an Australian native bird and is the emblem for the State of Western Australia.

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Comments (10)

ColNed Pictures from Amersfoort, Netherlands

Lovely capture of a beautiful animal !!

18 Jul 2007 7:04am

@ColNed Pictures: Thanks!

priya from ON, Canada

Never seen this close and looks beautiful. Love the contrast colors.

18 Jul 2007 8:58am

@priya: The colour is quite stunning up close, particularly the eyes.

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

I like the angle!

18 Jul 2007 10:10am

@Craiger: The angle turned out consequent to the swan hovering along the bank so I couldn't take a clear shot. I thought I'd try for a head close-up. The effect of the foreshoretened and curved neck made this photo stand out over the others. Luck!

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Brilliant capture Helen, :)
While I was on holiday, I spent half an hour, pedaling around a boating lake in a pedalo, trying to get a shot of the two black swans on there LOL :D

18 Jul 2007 10:44am

@MaryB: I have a only ever been successful with swans whilst I was on land. They have a distinct advantage on water!

Dimitrios from ATHENS, Greece

OUTSTANDING CLOSE UP

18 Jul 2007 1:14pm

@Dimitrios: Thanks once again Dimitrios.

Natalia from Louisville, United States

Oh, wow! That is such great capture of a very beautiful bird.

18 Jul 2007 2:18pm

@Natalia: :-) Thanks for passing by again!

Andrew Gould from Sydney, Australia

Stunning colour contrasts, Helen! (I've heard you should be careful about getting close to swans...)

18 Jul 2007 3:33pm

@Andrew Gould: What a wonderful depiction, dare I say, 'typically Australian' rural scene? It is lifted beautifully by the contrast the sheep bring on the perspective line. The light is fabulous. Great shot Andrew!
(re: swans ... yes, I was poised to move quickly ... I have seen them get quite cantankerous!)