Thanks for Looking After Me, Mum
There is no safer place than tucked under Mum’s wing when the rain starts to fall.
It lasted less than a second.
Walking through Swan Lake on Phillip Island in steady rain, I noticed the tiny tip of a beak peeking from beneath the wing of a resting Cape Barren Goose. I quietly repositioned myself, hoping for a better view. Then, for the briefest moment, the gosling lifted its head and looked towards me.
The Story Behind the Photograph
On a cold, rainy morning at Swan Lake on the Summerland Peninsula, Phillip Island, I was out photographing wildlife, expecting the usual mix of waterbirds and whatever else the morning might offer. Like most wildlife photography outings, I was not chasing a particular image. I was simply watching and waiting to see what nature would reveal.
Hidden from the rain was a newly hatched gosling, perfectly sheltered beneath its mother’s feathers. I carefully repositioned myself several times to find a clear angle, hoping that if I waited long enough the little bird might reveal itself.
For most of the time, all I could see was the tip of its beak. Then, for the briefest moment, the gosling lifted its head and one eye appeared between the feathers. That was the moment.
The result is a photograph that speaks less about technical perfection and more about patience, observation and timing. Nature has a beautiful way of reminding us that a mother’s care comes in many forms.
Behind the Lens
Location
Swan Lake, Summerland Peninsula, Phillip Island, Victoria
Conditions
Approximately 10:00 am
Light rain and very dull, overcast skies
Equipment
Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 100–500mm lens
Handheld
Settings
500mm · 1/800 sec
f/7.1 · ISO 3200
Despite the relatively high ISO required by the poor light, the Canon R5 produced a remarkably clean file, helped by the soft feather detail and careful exposure.
Wildlife Photography Tip
Many photographers think wildlife photography is about finding rare animals. More often, it is about noticing the small moments.
This image was not created because the gosling suddenly appeared. It came from recognising the tiny beak beneath the feathers, anticipating what might happen next, quietly adjusting my position and then waiting for the decisive instant.
Those moments cannot be manufactured. They are simply gifts from nature for photographers prepared to slow down and observe.
Join Me in the Field
Images like this are exactly the sort of moments I enjoy sharing during my wildlife photography workshops. I will help you understand not only the camera settings, but also the fieldcraft that gives you the best chance of capturing memorable wildlife images.
Whether you are photographing birds on Phillip Island, exploring wetlands around Victoria, or simply learning to become a more patient observer, there is always more to see when you slow down.
