Bird Photos on the Net
From time to time I spend time surfing the net for photos of birds from different parts of the world. Numeriscopages is a site from France. It includes beautiful photos of birds, insects, butterflies, animals and flowers. It’s worth spending a few minutes looking at this extensive site. Warning: the site is in French, but there is minimal text to worry about. The photos speak for themselves.
Updated Nov 2013.
Twitching in Australia
Twitching of birds is alive and well in Australia. A few days ago someone reported the first ever sighting in Australia of a Grey Headed Lapwing. A report today estimates that over 60 birders have so far been to see this bird at Burren Junction in northern New South Wales. Now this number is tiny when compared to twitching in the USA or the UK where literally thousands of birders descend on the location of rare birds. But considering the vast size of Australia and its small population, this is probably the most twitched bird in Australian birding history with many more birders likely to visit over the coming weekend.
And that is amazing considering that it is in a rather remote location. To get there would take many hours of driving from any of the capital cities. At least 4 hours from Brisbane or Sydney, possibly 10-12 hours from Melbourne and 15 hours from Adelaide. These are very, very rough estimates just to give some idea of the effort some Aussie birders put in just to see one bird.
To see a photo of a Grey Headed Lapwing click here. Note: I did not take the photo nor do I intend driving all that distance to do so.
Frustrating Birding Moments
Yesterday I wrote about great birding moments. When they happen it leaves one with a feeling of elation. To get a good photo of an elusive – or even a common – species is also very satisfying. It helps one to savour the wonderful moment over and over, marvelling that the said bird was in the right place at the right time and posed just right. Perhaps the light was also very good, highlighting the special features of the bird and bringing out the colours brilliantly.
Yesterday the opposite happened to me.
I was inside – it was cold, grey and uninviting outside. I heard a family of White Browed Babblers in the garden outside the office. I crept outside with camera primed. They flew around to the other side of the house and perched at the very top of a wattle (Acacia) tree. No matter what noises I made trying to convince them to come closer, they stayed right up there, sitting in full view but too far away and against the dull grey sky. A very frustrating ten minutes ended when they all flew off rapidly towards the neighbour’s garden. I’m not sure what they were saying about me as they flew, but I am sure I heard a few chuckles as they left.
Below is a photo of another White Browed Babbler taken some time ago in different circumstances. I’m not totally happy with it, but it’s the best shot I’ve taken of this species so far. At least one can identify it; the only shot I took yesterday shows a brown blog against a grey sky!
To see more photos of birds go to my Photo Gallery.
This gallery also has photos of
- animals, insects, butterflies, reptiles
- my travels in Australia, Nepal and Thailand
- trees, plants, flowers, parks and gardens
- my son’s photos on many themes
- my wife’s photos of Australian native plants
Birds in Tasmania
I have yet to experience the delights of birding and travelling in Tasmania. From what I’ve seen through photos and television and magazine articles I’m sure I will enjoy the expereince when we get around to travelling further ‘down under’ in the land of Down Under (Australia).
In the meantime, I’ve discovered a wonderful blog on Tassie birds. I visit it often and have a link to the site. It is unusual as far as blogs go because it has at least five regular contributors. Its main strength is the photos. Many of these are quite stunning and most are very beautiful. I particularly like the action shots, a skill I have yet to master. The posting from this last Wednesday (21st June) shows several shots of a Wedge Tailed Eagle in flight. Awesome.
I only have one criticism of the site; any site with a black background plays havoc with my eyes and I have trouble reading it, especially for more than a few minutes. All the same, I often just visit to look at the photos.
To visit the site click here.
Frosty Morning Walk
We went for a very cold walk this morning. The car needed a service so we had to be up early. I rarely accept the offer of a ride home from the place where we take the car, prefering to walk home instead. It takes about twenty-five minutes. I need the exercise.
We had another heavy frost again this morning. Over the last two weeks it has been between zero and minus 4 almost every day. We usually get a few – perhaps four or five – frosts in a winter, and rarely this early. This prolonged cold snap has been rather unusual, but not unique. It’s just a little hard to get used to after months of very pleasant weather.
So – rugged up with woollen hat (beanie) and gloves and a thick coat we braved the chilly walk home. The sun was making a valiant, but futile, attempt to warm everything up. Then the fog rolled in and spoiled that idea. We made it home and immediately headed for the fire to thaw out a little.
There were a few birds out and about, despite the cold conditions. The Little Ravens were bravely announcing their nasally welcome to the morn. Red Wattlebirds and New Holland Honeyeaters zipped here and there looking for something to eat. There are quite a few native plants flowering at present, so the search for sustenance was on.
The Australian Magpies were valiantly carolling in the new day while a family of White Winged Choughs strutted around on the cold ground oblivious to the freezing conditions. A flock of squawking Galahs flapped slowly overhead, their bright pink breast feathers trying to brighten up the gloomy start to the day. A lone Willie Wagtail greeted us as we arrived at our driveway.
Later in the day the fog went away, the sun shone brightly but oh so briefly. The return walk back to collect the car in the afternoon was far more pleasant.