Nothing like a good scratch
No Comments »15th December, 2012; Category: Bird Behaviour, Garden birds, Murray Bridge, Parrots and Lorikeets
Australian Ringneck parrot
Mallee Ringnecks, a sub-species of the Australian Ringneck parrot, is a resident breeding species on our 5 acre block in Murray Bridge, South Australia. We see them every day, and they bring great delight to when we see their bright colourful feathers lit by the sunlight.
On the other hand, we are not delighted when they chew on our pears before they are ripe. Next week we are planning to cover the fruit trees with bird netting to avoid having angry humans. This might end up in having a few angry birds hanging around.
A few days ago I photographed two of our local birds preening their feathers in the early morning sunshine.
There’s nothing quite like a good scratch.
Australian Ringneck parrot
Australian Ringneck parrot
Crested Pigeon in the morning sun
No Comments »14th December, 2012; Category: Bush birds, Garden birds, Murray Bridge, Pigeons and Doves
Crested Pigeon
Earlier this week I was out in the garden taking photographs of some young Grey Currawongs being fed by their parents. After getting several good shots I went for a wander of The Estate; we live on a five acre (2 hectare) block. My attention was attracted to this Crested Pigeon perched in the sun on an exposed dead branch of a bush. (Note to self: tidy up that part of the garden and plant something alive.)
Crested Pigeons are very common around Murray Bridge. I have observed loose flocks of 20 – 50 perched on power lines in many parts of the district. They are a resident breeding species on our block of land, and seem to nest most months of the year. (Perhaps that is why they are so common.)
I must say that they are very obliging photographic subjects.
Crested Pigeon
Crested Pigeon
Crested Pigeon
Silver Gulls, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
5 Comments »20th July, 2012; Category: Gulls and Terns, Murray Bridge, Photos, Seabirds, Shorebirds, Waterbirds
Silver Gull, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
I know that Silver gulls are very common throughout Australia, but I must admit that I always enjoy taking photos of them. Generally, they are not at all afraid of humans (except for those over-active little versions who insist on chasing them), so they are usually very easy photographic subjects to practice on. On my recent visit to the local Sturt Reserve I managed several acceptable shots of some of the gulls, as shown here on this post today.
Silver Gulls, despite often acting as garbage disposal units on beaches, river banks and picnic areas, are quite beautiful birds in my view. They have such clean lines and pure colours. I usually forget their scavenging habits and concentrate on the positive aspects of their appearance.
Silver Gull, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Silver Gull, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Purple swamphens at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Purple Swamphen, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Purple swamphens are a common species along the River Murray, including here in my home town of Murray Bridge, South Australia. They are usually quite happy to graze along the river’s edge, on the nearby grass on the river banks and on the lawns where the local council maintains picnic areas and reserves. They can also be commonly seen along swamplands and the dairy flats in the lower reaches of the river here.
I am always delighted to see this species, especially when the sunlight catches the beautiful colours on the birds, as in the photo above.
Purple Swamphen, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Noisy Miners, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Noisy Miner, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
The Noisy Miner, one of a very common native honeyeater species, is something of an enigmatic bird in our area. It is common almost everywhere, from gardens to parks, along the river and roadside vegetation and in nearby farming land. Yet I’ve never recorded this species on our five acre block which is about five kilometres from where this photo was taken.
My records go back almost 30 years and I only have one very dubious record of the species near our home. It was based entirely on call, but ever since I have doubted this record as being correct. I became a little excited a few weeks ago when I saw about a dozen in roadside trees along the nearby road where I go for my daily walk. So far, they haven’t ventured on to our land. One day, perhaps.
In reality, if they do become a resident species I probably won’t be all that pleased. They can be a little pest where fresh fruit is concerned, and they can also be very aggressive towards most other species, driving the smaller ones away and taking over feeding zones and nesting sites.
Noisy Miner, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge