Figbird, Adelaide Zoo
Figbird (female), Adelaide Zoo
The Adelaide Zoo has a very strong collection of Australian birds, including some that are rare and endangered. It also includes a number of species I have yet to see in their natural environment. Observing these birds in the zoo’s aviaries is a good way to become familiar with these birds before heading out to see them. The two walk-through aviaries are also a great opportunity to hone my photographic skills. Being able to get close to the birds is a great advantage.
One species in the collection which I have yet to add to my Australian list is the Figbird. There are two races: the Green Figbird (shown here) and the Yellow Figbird. It is a bird of the rainforests and woodlands in northern and eastern Australia where it is common. It also occurs in PNG and Indonesia. Its preferred food is fruit, hence the name.
The top photo is a close-up of a female who later sat on her nest – shown in the photo below. The third photo is a very poor, out of focus shot of the male. I only include it to show the difference in plumage colours between the male and the female. Next time I walk through that aviary I will try to get a photo which is in focus.
Further reading:
- Adelaide Zoo – articles from my archives
Figbird (female) on nest, Adelaide Zoo
Poor photo of a male Figbird, Adelaide Zoo
I have a new camera
Canon Powershot SX20IS
Most of the photos on this site have been taken with a Canon Powershot S2IS. It has been a good workhorse camera for me over the last five and a bit years. The results shown on this site speak for themselves. The S2 has been superseded by several models since its release but it was perfectly adequate for my needs. I bought the camera specifically for a trek in the Himalayas and the Everest region in January 2006 (read about it here.)
The Canon Powershot S2 IS features 12x zoom and 5 megapixels. The 12x zoom has been particularly useful for taking bird photos, but often I was left wanting just a little more. A recent set of circumstances has led me to upgrade to the Canon Powershot SX 20 IS (see photo above). This is a run-out model, being superseded by the Powershot Sx 35 IS. I knew about this new model but reviews I read were not all that complimentary, so I dismissed that model, despite the extra zoom. It was also double the price.
The one I bought was actually on sale for less than half its listed RRP. Not only have I scored a bargain, my first impressions are very favourable. The 20x zoom is great and at 12.1 megapixels the photos should also be impressive. Sure, you can get cameras that are far more impressive, greater zoom, more features, more megapixels and so on, but you’d pay a lot more than I have.
I’d love a top of the range digital SLR with all the bells and whistles, but I carry enough gear when birding; I don’t want to have to carry several lenses, tripod and so on. It’s a choice I’ve made; lightness and convenience won the day, as well as price.
I still have quite a few photos to share here taken with the old camera but those taken with the new one should start appearing here soon. Some of the first photos taken with the new camera have appeared on my blog Trevor’s Travels here and here and here. One of the first bird photos taken with the camera appears below.
Good birding.
New Holland Honeyeaters and House Sparrow bathing
Pacific Black Ducks, Laratinga Wetlands
Pacific Black Duck, Laratinga Wetlands, Mt Barker, South Australia
Pacific Black Ducks and Grey Teal are probably the most common and well known ducks found in Australia. They are very common in parks, on lakes, rivers and reservoirs and can even be found in private gardens. More than once we’ve had ducklings in our swimming pool.
They are one of most recognisable birds and are very popular in public parks and gardens where people love to feed them. I don’t encourage this practice as the food – often bread – is not only unsuitable for ducks, it is potentially harmful to them.
Pacific Black Ducks are generally quite unafraid of people, especially in public places like the Laratinga Wetlands in South Australia. This makes them excellent subjects for photography.
Further reading:
Pacific Black Duck, Laratinga Wetlands, Mt Barker, South Australia
Superb Fairy wrens, Laratinga Wetlands
Superb Fairy-wren, Laratinga Wetlands, South Australia
The Laratinga Wetlands at Mt Barker in the Mt Lofty Ranges in South Australia have been established now for over 11 years. During that time the various ponds and the surrounding areas have been planted up with many native trees, bushes, grasses and water plants. The area is now an excellent habitat for both water birds and bush birds.
Every where I walked along the various paths on a recent visit I heard and saw families of Superb Fairy-wrens. There seemed to be plenty of them, but sometimes they can be frustrating little birds to photograph. They can move so quickly when chasing flying insects to eat that one has to be very quite focussing on them to get a shot. Many times I’ve taken excellent photos of the twig or branch where the bird was sitting a fraction of a second earlier!
In other places this species can be a delight to photograph as they pose on picnic tables or hop around between your feet. I guess I have to be grateful when a bird poses nicely with enough light and time enough to focus and compose the shot. It certainly makes this an interesting and challenging hobby.
Related articles:
- Wrens and cockatoos (this one has a better photo of a male wren)
- Great Birding Moments: Superb Fairy-wrens
- Superb Fairy-wren, Botanic Gardens, Canberra
Christmas Greetings
Male Flame Robin, Mt. Macedon, Victoria
Christmas Greetings to all of my wonderful readers.
I really appreciate the many hundreds of readers who access this site on a daily basis. I also appreciate the many people who take the time and make an effort to leave comments and questions.
I also appreciate the many readers who help each other out by answering their birding questions. I’ve had a very busy year finishing my Masters degree, so my time has been severely limited. Everyone’s help has been wonderful in keeping me sane. Now that I’ve finished my degree I can devote more time to this site once again. 2011 and beyond will be better than ever.
I trust that you all have a great celebration over Christmas. Today I will just show a few of my favourite photos.
Australian Pelicans, Mallacoota, Victoria
Eastern Rosella in our garden
Blue-faced Honeyeater