Escaping the skyscrapers

Urban wetlands and estuaries are becoming sanctuaries for dwindling populations of wading waterbird species as they learn to adapt to developed landscapes. Pied stilts are among a number of species that can be found in a handful of locations along the Swan River, despite the prevalence of walkers, cyclists, dogs, boats, light pollution and other disturbances. I captured this image of a stilt taking off high above Perth’s skyline as a metaphor for the urban encroachment on to critical wetland habitats that are forcing shorebirds, many endangered, to find refuge elsewhere.

Photograph: Nathan Watson