WELCOME SWALLOW.

This is my entry for Monday's Animal Photography challenge curated and sponsored by @juliank and @photocontests.

Welcome swallows (Hirundo Neoxena) are native to Australia. They are distinguished by their metallic blue-black feathers on the top of their heads with light grey on the breast, a rusty coloured forehead, throat and upper breast.

These small birds move fast and fly in circular patterns which incorporate swift, darting motions. Their tails are long and forked and have a row of white spots on individual feathers.

They are found in eastern, western, southern and central Australia but have been observed nesting throughout New Zealand and surrounding islands. Swallows are very agile fliers and feed on insects while flying and love to swoop around people and animals in the open.

Swallows are commonly found on wires, posts and a variety of perches and prefer coastal and wetland areas. Once these birds reach maturity, they experience long breeding periods.

Check out Julian's other challenges.

Monday: #foodphotography and #animalphotography
Tuesday: #landscapephotography and #cityscapephotography
Wednesday: #architecturalphotography and #vehiclephotography
Thursday: #macrophotography and #colourfulphotography
Friday: #streetphotography and #portraitphotography
Saturday: #sportsphotography and #smartphonephotography
Sunday: #goldenhourphotography and #longexposurephotography