The Frederick Blakeley Memorial on the road between Papunya and Haasts Bluff is one of the most unlikely birding spots to look at, but the variety and familiarity of the wildlife here continually amazes me. I've had a few encounters with camels, horse and cattle, as well as a dingo. Today produced a few more species of birds I hadn't seen (or noticed) before including Australasian Pipit, Varied Sittella, White-browed Babblers and experienced fly-overs by a Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard and Whistling Kite.
However, it was the Robins - both Hooded and Red-capped that really made my day. Sometimes both these species can be very elusive, and other times they can be extremely trusting of a large person with a camera. It is a toss of the coin as to which one I wanted to put first, but as the last few weeks have been "Pied", I've gone with the Hooded Robin.
However, it was the Robins - both Hooded and Red-capped that really made my day. Sometimes both these species can be very elusive, and other times they can be extremely trusting of a large person with a camera. It is a toss of the coin as to which one I wanted to put first, but as the last few weeks have been "Pied", I've gone with the Hooded Robin.
Hooded Robin
Red-capped Robin
The Pallid Cuckoo in the photos below almost followed me around. At one point I was concentrating on some Crimson Chats on the ground about 30 metres away, and then looked back towards the road and saw this lovely grey back (second photo) only 5 metres away, sitting on a small branch, facing away from me. Very trusting. The calls of the Pallid Cuckoo seem to be ringing in my ears everywhere I go around Papunya and the road to Haasts Bluff, and this one sang from the tree only 2 metres away (fourth photo).
Pallid Cuckoo
Below are some more photos of other birds around this site:
Crested Bellbird
Pied Honeyeater
There's something different about your photos these days ....... ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of some birds I have had nothing to do with! Prompted by the post I've just been listening to some recordings of the Crested bellbird. I find myself wondering if the call is readily heard in the wild.
Thanks Pete, enjoying the new gear most of the time, still manage to fluff a lot though. As to Crested Bellbird call in the wild, definitely a yes for that one, would see probably 1 in 20 of the ones that I hear.
DeleteBuenas capturas,las del Red-capped Robin me encantan.Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias Isidro, muy apreciada
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