A splash of Pink

Pink-eared Duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus

After a fantastic night out and lovely chilled day in Fremantle I bypassed Lake Claremont on the way home to see if I could find the Freckled Ducks that have been hanging out there lately.

As soon as I got there my heart sank as I remembered my binoculars were in my car which is STILL at the car yard mechanic while they wait for parts to arrive! Waders are difficult to identify without a good set of bins on hand so I was umming and arrghing as to whether I should even bother when I spotted a suspiciously awesome looking duck near the shore line. Frecked duck? No! But almost as good! Pink-eared ducks! Two adults sitting on a bed of reeds. This was the closest I had ever seen them and the first time in Perth I've seen them. I scouted around for a better spot to photograph them and just as I was getting ready to shoot they stood up revealing two chicks! Even better!!! I only managed one shot before they swam off into a heavily reeded section of the lake but I'm still happy with this shot. Can you see why they get their name? Just stunning!

I was considering leaving, then thought I'd just walk around to the viewing platform and see if there was anything interesting close by - along the way I happened to spot, yes, you guessed it, a FRECKLED DUCK!! Absolute elation! She wasn't in a good spot - very shaded but manged a few shots before she disappeared behind some bushes.

I am super happy - but also super hot! Anther steamy 40 degree day and I was in the sun for the most part. Time to head home, play with Bon Bon, then head out to the casino for birthday drinks with friends (not mine!).

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend :)