With now having a camera instead of a phone to do photos with, I am discovering the pleasure and challenge of photographing Birds.
The quality of the photos aren't wonderful, but I was never able to do Bird Photos at all with my phone, so I'm really having a lot of fun learning to photograph Birds.
Though my Nikon L120 isn't able to give me the details I'd like to achieve and share, I'm still pleased to have the many photos I've acquired since December 2012, and hopefully you'll enjoy meeting the birds who visit my yard when I do Posts of them.
A DSLR is on my goal to reach, but until then, may these photos, and others to come be enjoyable.
Sharing with 'Wild Bird Wednesday' 89
Hosted by Stewart M of Melbourne Australia
The Blue-faced Honeyeater - Entomyzon cyanotis - presented in the Introductory photo, is a regular visitor to the yard of my South East Queensland rental home. As I continue photographing birds, I'll learn when Blue-face mainly visits... the Introductory Photo was done during December 2013, Summer for me in Australia.
Continuing with Summer, but this time back in January 2013, here are photos of when Blue-face perched on the roof ledge outside the back-door...
The reason for the curiosity about inside the house and me with the camera is because of the next photo....
The Butcher Bird is the reason why. The Butcher Bird visiting at the time is the Pied Butcher Bird - Cracticus nigrogularis - but isn't who this Post is about, but is the reason I have those photos.
Blue-faced Honeyeaters, I've discovered, are very curious about what is going on when repeated activity is happening. So with the Butcher Bird being a regular visitor to my back door, Blue-face decided to have a look and what was so interesting about being there. Hence the first two photos, which I love.
Then with Butcher Bird looking across the yard, Blue-face followed the gaze to see what was interesting over there.
I personally feel he/she didn't see anything to be of particular interest in the distance nor where the house was concerned or me, because left shortly after.
Another name Blue-face is known by is Banana Bird, they love those beautiful Banana Flowers, so much nectar and insects to enjoy. Blue-face is a finely built bird, about 29cm/nearly 12inches in length. And juveniles have yellow-green skin around the eyes instead of blue. The change to blue doesn't occur until they are over twelve months of age. When I first saw a juvenile, I went searching to find out if it was a different kind of honeyeater. Very pretty shade of green it is too.
Places they enjoy inhabiting are open forests, there's lots of trees where I live. Woodlands close to water, there are quite a few dams surrounding the property, though mangroves and coastal heathlands which they also roam amid are not part of the landscape where I am. But, orchards, farm land, parks and gardens are in the area where I am.
Their diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates for protein, then balanced with refreshing nectar and fruit.
When nesting, they don't always build their own. Often they will use abandoned nests which they reline and add to with materials of their own choosing, usually rough bark, linked with finer bark and grass. Two to three eggs are laid.
They range across northern and eastern mainland Australia..
Information for the Blue-faced Honeyeater I learnt at
http://www.ozanimals.com
And the map is from
http://www.travelling-australia.info/InfsheetsE/Entomyzon_cyanotis.html
I'm adding the next photo simply because you can see the colouring along the back of Blue-face. This was taken a few days after the previous photos when rain had happened...
Blue-face is perched on the limb of a rather bare Silky-oak Grevillea Tree amid scrub. Had been a very hot dry Summer, the rains when they came at the end of January were a relief, until we had flooding.
To finish off, some more photos during the December 2013 Summer, like the Introductory photo...
There's that awesome head twist again, and this time the Silky-Oak Grevillea is flourishing.
A very beautiful active bird, and I find them to be quite musical as they keep vocalising while seeking food among the foliage or communicating with their kind.
The Silky-Oak Grevillea which the Blue-faced Honeyeater is on is Grevillea robusta - also known as the Southern Silky-oak, or Australian Silver oak. It is the largest species in the genus Grevillea of the family Proteaceae. It is a native of the eastern coast of Australia. There are many growing in Gympie Queensland and there are about a dozen growing on the property where I rent. The birds, flying-foxes and Possums love them, especially when in flower during Spring.
Photos are mine.
Any editing is done with FastStone
Thanks for stopping by
Magda
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so just check his Side-bar for 'Wild Bird Wednesday' Postings.
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Beautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you again Gunilla,
DeleteAnd I agree with you, they are beautiful birds. I feel privileged having them visit me regularly.
Thank you very much for visiting again, very appreciated.
A great series of photos - they are very pretty birds to have around and I agree with what you have said about them. BUT when they decide to come into the yard with all their family members (more than a dozen birds!!) they chase out any others they don't like.
ReplyDeleteHello Mick,
DeleteThanks for visiting.
I have not experienced that many blue-faces all at once, am surprised their social behaviour would become so bossy. Maybe it's a Family protection thing. The small groups that sometimes gather here are simply enjoyable for their constant conversing with each other as they move about foliage and bark. I'm rather glad the Family gatherings don't happen here yet. I'd miss the other birds that visit.
They are beautiful birds, I like the color around their eye.. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteHello Eileen,
DeleteThank you for visiting again. Very kind of you.
Agree with you, blue-faces are beautiful, and fun. I too like the colouring around their eyes, it's especially beautiful when they stay still long enough to be appreciated.
Appreciate you like the photos.
Great pictures of a splendid bird (and an extra butcher bird!)
ReplyDeleteThe blue on the face is really bright.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
PS: thanks for the comment about my blog at the bottom of this post. SM
Hello Stewart, (finally I've spelt your name correctly)
DeleteIt is a pleasure to mention your Blog, and I'll correct my spelling of your name. Deepest apologies. Have no idea what my eyes were doing when registering your name, because my mind certainly didn't relay ew to my fingers, and I'm only now realising my repeated error. A bit abstract, but thankfully solvable. Appreciate your tolerance and patience that I'd get it right eventually.
Thanks for liking the photos.
And Blue-face is splendid I agree. The blue is so distinctive, it is always the first thing I notice.
Appreciate you've given time to stop by.
Dear Magda, these are wonderful photos! What an interesting bird! Thank you for visiting Today's Flowers. I really appreciate it and apologize for not visiting before. I forgot to let everyone know that the roses were my photographs. I have been a bit rushed lately and neglected to do so, so certainly no apologies needed on your part but plenty from me :) I usually get around to thanking everyone sooner than this but I have had a lot of family commitments lately and my time has been limited between the two blogs. Thanks again, and wishing you a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello Denise, I feel quite warm with pleasure and surprise finding your beautiful note, truly kind of you to give the time for such a personal giving. Really do appreciate what you've given.
DeleteSo pleased you like the photos, and yes Blue-face is interesting.
Always a pleasure to visit Today's Flowers.
Does feel good knowing who to thank for those beautiful roses, I really found it difficult to stop looking at them.
Family always needs to come first, so no apologies necessary, but is appreciated.
I've had times when I'd say I'd be somewhere in an hour, and a week later I'd finally get there, it's that unpredictable aspect of Family Life I find, you've done very well to even be here.
May all your commitment pressures ease and be smoothly manageable.
And I thank you again also. I truly appreciate your visit and your time.
Enjoyed your visit Magda and thanks for your kind words. I hope you'll share your pretty photos again this weekend. I often feel bad that I have had little time to visit and in the next few months it will be even harder, but I will be trying my best to keep up :) I also just found out that the daughter of a good friend of ours is getting married in New York so there will be a trip there when all else settles down. A busy but a fun year. Thank you again Dear Magda. I am so happy I met you.
DeleteHi Magda. What a wonderful informative and interesting post with great photos of this Honeyeater. I love the first shot with the Butcherbird as well, they look like friends. I love the way the H. Twists it's head and to see the kinds of trees they are found in. I have never seen this H. And I don't know whether it goes as far north as Innisfail, Queensland where my daughters home is although at present they have just moved to Malawi for 2 years so I won't be in Innisfail for a little while. have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello Margaret, thank you for your visit and the lovely chat, really nice.
DeleteI googled Innisfail to compare it's location with the range Blue-face covers, and if my map is accurate, then yes, Blue-face would definitely have time there.
I think it's mainly Summer I see Blue-face in Gympie Qld. I'll know 'when' better now that I've discovered I have a passion for Bird Photography.
That head twist is quite something to behold. Had me wondering if I improved to look at from that angle... but I really was just so pleased the photo was successful.
I looked up Malawi... all the way to southeastern Africa. That will certainly be a new adventure and lifestyle. After 2yrs, the return to being back in Innisfail will feel new and different I'm sure.
May your daughter have a thoroughly rewarding time away.
What a beautiful bird! I love the first photo! The way he looks is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHello Mary, and thank you for stopping by, very much appreciated.
DeleteI too love the first photo, I was so relieved when I discovered I achieved the photo and it wasn't blurry.
The look felt gorgeous to receive. It's such an awesome flexibility.
to be a beginner at bird photography you seem to do pretty well I think. :)
ReplyDeleteRe the Zebra Dove I liked it a lot. A nice little dove. But I think that the Honolulu people thought they were a bit too many. Nice to hear you have it in your garden.
Hello NatureFootstep, appreciate your visit, and your very uplifting, encouraging words. Thank you immensely.
DeleteThat is disappointing news for the Zebra/Peaceful Dove introduced to Honolulu, even such an inoffensive bird out of it's natural environment can be a problem it seems. Introduced species so often flourish, usually detrimentally so. I hope their future in Honolulu can be sorted out beneficially for all.
I think they are a dove that would be difficult not to like, and I am fortunate having them naturally in my garden.
Appreciate your reply NatureFootstep
Hello Magda and welcome back and thank you for your visit to my blog. It was a lovely surprise. I enjoyed the photos of clouds in your previous post, they look like little universes within themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis Blue faced Honeyeater is quite special and you've put a lot of research into your post. I've seen the results of the Butcherbird's work in our garden and while nature is what it is, I am secretly quite pleased when I see our Wattlebirds busily directing it away!
I can feel your joy at now having a camera. It's quite exhilarating being able to find a situation or scene and to take many great photographs. You've captured these birds quite beautifully and I love the composition of the birds sitting on the roof ledge looking down at you. Well done :D)
Oh Susan, thank you, so unexpected, and also so nice to find you've been here.
DeleteI've always loved your input. Reading now reminds me so much how I've missed interacting with you.
It was a pure pleasure visiting your Blog, only it was too short, next time I'll stay longer and wander about, I always love your Posts.
And thank you for welcoming me back, I'm enjoying my return.
'Little universes within themselves' a perfect description. There'll be the whole scenic view, but those 'little universes' amid the whole scene always captivate me. It's so very wonderful now to be able to signal them out to photo. I get quite bowled over by some of the results.
I hope you won't mind if I use your description, really does define the images, and thanks for looking at the Post.
I gather you don't have a good time with your Butcher Birds. I'm rather lucky that the ones part of my life do fine with all the other birds that frequent my yard.
One in particular I think of as a friend, he/she will come inside, hop onto my bed and awaken me if I'm late waking in the morning, or follows me about the house while I finish doing something.
Importantly, never have any of the Butcher Birds or Magpies ever disturbed the Doves who live with me.
Plus I'm very pleased with both the Butcher Birds and the Magpies for retaining good manners when their feed bowl is set down on my kitchen floor during those times when help with food is needed. They each manage to share very well from the same bowl.
Also both species are good when the Spangled Drongo visits, and when the Kookaburra Family join in for a munchy, or when the Ibis arrives, even though they eat outside.
Oh yes, having a camera is quite different. Being able to do photos like I never could is very exciting. Nikl may not be able to give DSLR quality, but it sure shows me what I can look forward to being able to do.
And the taking of many photographs... well I get quite a shock sometimes just how many photos I've taken of a scene or situation, and sometimes I'm even more awed when many are worth keeping.
Those photos of Blue-face on the roof ledge are some of my favourites. Truly was a thrill when I saw they turned out. Thanks for the praise. Really is encouraging.
Hello Magda, I loved reading your replies to this and my other comments. I have to say I was really pleased to read your response in regard to your Butcher Birds' manners and behaviour. I won't go into detail but I was distressed when I found what one had done to another bird in my garden. Its method (or calling card is unmistakable). I'm always aware that I shouldn't attach human emotions to birds, animals etc, so I tried to keep an open mind about the Butcher Birds' habits as just one of those primal habits. However, from what you say, I must have seen an isolated incident. I will choose to think that and would rather think of the lovely relationship you have with yours. Thank you Magda :D)
Deleteoh yes Magda, I forgot to add that it would be my pleasure for you to use the "little universes" I mentioned. They definitely felt other-worldly. On the odd occasions when I've been in a plane I get the best feeling looking out over the clouds. Cheerio for now and I look forward to our continued exchange. It's always good to meet like-minded people isn't it :D)
DeleteThis is lovely Susan, feels like exchanging letters
DeleteThat concept of not attaching human emotions to nature in general has me wondering what those humans are afraid of seeing or feeling. I fully ignore that concept. To me life is life, and everything feels, and that I feel is what matters.
Another concept I find sad is the one where some humans have decided that Nature doesn't have a Soul. I feel those folk who think or believe that would be very empty. I feel sorry for them.
But that obviously terrible experience you've seen because of a Butcher Bird is sad.
One of the reason's your Butcher Bird may have done what it did could have been due to the Season and food supply at the time. Behaviour in general for Critters does alter depending on the Season and conditions I've noticed.
When Spangles arrived this February he/she demanded food urgently a few times a day, and looked quite shabby and thin too. Both of which I'd never seen or experienced before. But then I realised most of Australia was in drought this time round, and many bush-fires had been occurring. I realised from February last year till the rain that happened this March, it has been very dry. May in general have been the reason for the different behaviour and appearance. Spangles is looking back to his/her beautiful self now am pleased to report.
I also have concluded meat-eating Critters, whatever the species, can do some terrible things when it comes to food, and often not nice things at all to others when babies are in need also. The worst part to me is the damage is so often inflicted on those least able to defend themselves. I may not like it, but I still find the beauty of the Critter as an individual is not tarnished.
What helps me come to terms with the unpleasant aspect of Nature is to remind myself of how humans too often treat each no matter what the past has revealed. The horrors that can result from human behaviour have never stopped, and that to me is really tragic.
I do hope you find a way to be at peace with what you witnessed. Won't be easy I'm sure, and hopefully was just an isolated incident.
Susan you are a real treat, it is nice to meet another one can share and exchange with, thank you for being on of those kind of folk.
I'm such a prattler, feels nice to be appreciated for being that way.
Glad can use the term you gave. I see the wording, and see my clouds. Love the wording.
Clouds are awesome, would be quite something seeing them from an aeroplane.
till next time.
Thanks again for all you have given