Drinking on the wing
Category
Birdlife
Location
Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido, Japan
Gear
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM +1.4x at 560.0mm, ISO 800, f/8.0, 1.3200 sec, handheld.
Description
Seen at Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido, Japan, this long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus caudatus, northern subspecies) was drinking in a most unusual fashion, taking water from icicles hanging from tree branches near the shore. The sun had begun to melt the icicles, giving the birds access to water in the freezing conditions. Some birds clung to the branches or the icicles themselves, reaching out to drink. Others, however, flew in and hovered, taking droplets from the ends of the icicles. It was fascinating to watch but difficult to photograph requiring a long lens held at an awkward angle. I had never seen anything like this before.
Photographer
Claire Waring
Social Media
Instagram: @wildwaring
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