An Australian wildlife photographer captured an unusual scene showing ducks leading a tiger snake to shore.
The photographer captured a rare and fascinating moment in nature.
Three ducks calmly guided a deadly tiger snake back to shore without confrontation.
A photographer encountered a wild moment at Whiteman Park.
Tim Kemp, a seasoned wildlife photographer, was at Whiteman Park, north of Perth, when he witnessed an unusual scene.
While observing a tiger snake swimming towards a patch of floating vegetation, he braced himself. He anticipated a potential attack on the ducks resting there.
To his surprise, the ducks did not panic or attempt to flee. Instead, they calmly escorted the highly venomous snake back to dry land.
“I thought the ducks were in trouble, but they showed no signs of fear,” Kemp said. “I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years as a wildlife photographer.”
Ducks showed no fear while leading tiger snake approaching the shore.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the photographer expressed his puzzlement at the ducks’ calm demeanor.
He explained that smaller animals, like birds and frogs, could have been potential prey.
However, these ducks were not on the menu for the snake.
“The ducks were too big for the snake to eat,” he noted. “They didn’t have nests on the vegetation, so they felt no threat.”
A rare moment showed ducks and a tiger snake moving together peacefully.
Seizing the opportunity, Kemp quickly took photos of the encounter. He watched as the snake slithered onto the shore, disappearing into the underbrush. Kemp was fascinated not only by the snake but by the ducks’ reaction.
“The ducks were completely unfazed,” he said. “It was amazing to see three different breeds come together and guide the snake away.”
After the encounter, Kemp observed the ducks return to their activities as if nothing had happened. Breeding pairs swam together, and other birds, like swans and ibises, glided in for a moment of peace on the small, green island.
Kemp reflected on the event, marveling at the cooperation among different species.
“You don’t see that every day,” he said. “They worked together to move the snake away without any panic.”
Previous encounters with tiger snakes
While Kemp has seen many snakes during his career, he had never witnessed one take to the water before.
He recalled a past encounter where a red-cheeked wattlebird might have saved him from stepping on a tiger snake.
“I was distracted, not paying attention to the ground,” Kemp said. “The wattlebird’s calls grew louder as I got closer. When I was about two meters away, it swooped down, flashing its claws and beak at the snake I hadn’t seen. It was a lucky save.”
After sharing the moment, Kemp hopes to raise awareness of Australia’s unique wildlife. He also raised the importance of observing it with respect.
Tim Kemp’s rare photos showed the cooperation among the ducks shows how nature can surprise us.
Although tiger snakes are dangerous, this encounter ended peacefully, offering a glimpse into the complex interactions in the animal kingdom.
