I’m no ornithologist, but I think this is a pied shag. Seen at Whangarei Town Basin, Northland, NZ. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015
The Big T and I escaped the city last weekend for a (too) short trip “up north.” Part holiday, part real estate search, we stopped at Whangarei’s Town Basin for coffee, a visit to Burning Issues gallery and to enjoy a late-afternoon walk around the marina.
Wings outstretched to catch the afternoon sun? Pied shag, Whangarei Town Basin, Northland, NZ. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015
This bird was perched contentedly, wings outstretched and oblivious to our interest.
Pied shag, Whangarei Town Basin, Northland, NZ. Photo: Su Leslie, 2015.
This post was written for Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge at Lens and Pens by Sally. This week’s theme is nature. The post title comes, of course, from Gloria Swanson’s wonderful line in Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard:
Zimmerbitch 
It’s as if the bird was posing for you, Su. Love the shots, especially the background of the last one.
janet
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Thanks Janet. I was really surprised that the bird just sat still, so close to us. But it was a really warm afternoon with the sun at the bird’s back, and I think it may have been taking advantage of the heat on it’s wings. 🙂
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I like the background of the third shot, too.
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Thanks Susan.
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How fortunate you were to see that majestic creature. That last shot is especially captivating. It has the sensibility of a painting with the clouds being reflected (is that correct?). Happy Photo Challenge.
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Yes; the clouds on the water were part of what made the shot for me. I did wonder about cropping it wider to include more of that, but it lost the impact of the shag — and I heard something recently about remembering to focus on the “hero” of the shot. Thanks Sally.
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Glorious captures! 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Sweet shots – that last one looks like an oil painting
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Thanks Maureen. I’d not noticed that until now 🙂
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Love shags; but we had only plain black ones in Perth on the Swan, where I grew up. These pied ones are terrific, Su ! – lovely shots, too.
I know what you’re l.ooking for; and I hereby stake my request for a room with a nice big comfy recliner chair in which I can sleep.
[grin]
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It’s yours! Sure you don’t want a bed? We have a few spares that will be going with us when we finally realise the “Good Life” dream 🙂
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My weird scoliosis thinggy (a bit like Richard III’s !) won’t let me lie flat. Here I sleep on an adjustable bed; or, when Lui yowls at the bedroom door for me to come out, in my recliner chair !
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Well captured!
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You found an obliging model. Great photos.
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It looks like he’s trying to sun himself and dry his wings 🙂
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That’s what my partner thought. He seemed so contented in that idyllic little spot.
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Great captures Su.
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A great little (or not so little) town.
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I’m liking it more all the time (possibly because it’s looking like it might become our centre of gravity once we leave Ak) 🙂
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