Masked lapwing, Vanellus miles

Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales

Masked lapwings are very common on grassed areas along the East Coast of Australia; including parks, ovals and roadside verges. They posses spikes on their wings used for defending their chicks, which has earned them the name "Spur-winged plover".

Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS; 1/640s at f/6.3 ISO 250; resting on knee. Crop and basic processing.