Notes to readers of this Blog


NOTES TO READERS OF THIS BLOG

Thank you for dropping by to check out my blog. You will see a lot of other Blogs about birds I follow down the left hand side. I strongly encourage you to check some of these out as well, they are entertaining and I love to see birds from all over the world, I hope you do too.
Cheers,
Richard

Friday 5 April 2013

When small birds come close - Splendid Fairy-wren, Grey Fantail and Grey Shrike-thrush photos

I had a wonderful experience of inquisitive birds hopping around my feet, in between my feet and fluttering on branches nearby before heading for the insects buzzing around me. I feel fortunate to be able to have these experiences and then share what the camera captures in these moments.

There were a number of families of Splendid Fairy-wrens, all hopping around the carpark, and some of them came within a couple of metres. Most of the males are either just gaining their attractive colouring, or just losing it, I think it is the former.

Splendid Fairy-wrens





The Grey Fantails were amazing to watch catch, twitch, flick, look, swivel, then zoom into the air, sometimes only a few feet, other times a few metres or further. Each time they seemed to catch their prey, and then thankfully settle back either in the same place or close to it. One of them was looking straight down the barrel of the camera and flew straight at me, a bit of a shock to the system, but at least it couldn't do too much damage, not like a bird of prey coming at me! :-)

Grey Fantail






The Grey Shrike-thrush kept coming back to my position, obviously the food source was surrounding me. There were a number of times where it was actually too close for the lens to both focus and fit the bird in the frame. In the end I forgot about trying to get it all in and just took shots of the head/eye.

Grey Shrike-thrush




6 comments:

  1. Great close-up shots. Where is this carpark? And when are the Splendid Fairy Wrens in their prime breeding colors normally? It is my main goal to visit Australia for about a month within the next few years. I don't know what time of year would be the best for viewing birds. I always enjoy reading your blog.

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  2. Enjoyed each of the photographs and what a buzz to have them all about you for the photographic shoot

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  3. Buenos acercamientos a esta bonitas aves.Saludos

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  4. Hi!
    Great birdserie as allways. I realy love all close ups and the "Splendid Fairy-wrens" a lovely looking bird.
    Have a nice weekend
    /Ingemar

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  5. WOW!
    How lucky can one get!
    Having such gorgeous birds so close is magic!
    Indeed the Fairy wrens are moulting, it is worth going back in a couple of weeks to see them in full mating plumage!
    Brilliant post Richard!

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  6. Don't we love those moments!? Thanks for sharing.

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