Whistling Kite serenades the setting sun

Some of the sunsets in Central Australia can be spectacular. Usually it is the fluffy cloud formations which inspires the camera to be used at the end of the day. But yesterday, it was a Whistling Kite that was the inspiration. I had seen a Whistling Kite on the same perch a couple of days ago, see the last blog post for those photos. It was calling on that occasion too. The sunset shots include two of my favourite natural experiences, bird-watching, and sunset watching. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Whistling Kite, water birds and a beautiful sunset

A quick trip to the Poo Ponds after work. The air was warm, still, and on the nose. The insects were very friendly, and the main target bird nowhere to be found. Having said all of that, an enjoyable experience, especially the sunset

There were lots of Australian Pratincoles, and all the usual ducks, Avocets and Stilts. Sandpipers seemed to be staying away from where I was. A Whistling Kite seemed to be struggling a bit with the heat, either perched or flying, tongue hanging out

There were a couple of Yellow-billed Spoonbills, swishing side to side, and this Glossy Ibis was nearby

There are a large number of Whiskered Terns constantly swooping the top of the ponds for insects

One of the few sandpipers that caught my eye was this Wood Sandpiper, nicely perched on a rock

A gorgeous White-winged Fairy-wren, Glossy Ibis in full colour, and a scared cat and a dingo

Sometimes you get the chance to take some close-up photos of birds that can be quite timid. This happened recently with a White-winged Fairy-wren male. I find these birds can be extremely difficult to photograph at times, but not on this occasion:

White-winged Fairy-wren

A Glossy Ibis has been present at the local ponds recently, and I managed to finally get some decent photographs of this very colourful bird.

Glossy Ibis

I was walking towards the bird hide in the middle of the main ponds area, and noticed what at first I thought might have been a Whistling Kite sitting atop the wooden post to the right of the hide. I have seen Whistling Kites on the post before, so was not really expecting the bird to turn into a cat. I was sure it would jump off well before I approached to a close distance, but to my surprise it seemed stuck in its position. Eventually when I was within about 4 metres, it jumped down, alas to the far side of the Hide. I was a bit confused and tried to see where it had jumped to, and then promptly forgot about the cat as I could see some birds to my left. As I swung around, I saw something that made me realise why the cat had stayed in atop the post for so long. A dingo was only about 10 metres away.

The cat atop the post

The dingo, seriously needing a feed.

A few recent photos from the Alice Springs Sewage Ponds

Black-winged Stilt

Australian Pratincole

Black Kite

Black-tailed Native-hen

Fairy Martin

Bunny

Red-necked Avocet

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Whistling Kite

White-winged Fairy-wren

Wood Sandpiper

Fairy-wrens including a dust-up, an Orange Chat and a few others

Spent some time at the Alice Springs Sewage Ponds trying to chase Fairy-wrens and Chats. Quite happy with the range I managed.

White-winged Fairy-wren

Dad came out to watch the fight between the kids

Young male checking out the insects

Mum watches on as the young male and female have a dust-up

Splendid Fairy-wren was not amused

Variegated Fairy-wren kept to himself

This Orange Chat sat nicely on top of a bush

Black-tailed Native-hen

Fairy Martin

Crimson Chats become a "town bird" at Alice Springs

Recently there has been an influx of birds towards Alice Springs, possibly due to the drying surrounds, or maybe they are looking for warmth as the overnight temperatures drop. One of the more unusual visitors has been the Crimson Chats. Normally these birds aren't too far away from town, but generally they do keep to the outskirts. Alice Springs residents have been reporting them all over the place, about the only area so far without a report is the Todd Mall, right in the middle of Alice Springs. They are very pretty birds, the males being much more dominated by the "crimson"that presumably gives them part of their name, but the females can look quite stunning as well. Here are a couple from one of my favourite birding spots around Alice Springs, the Poo Ponds:

Crimson Chat

Australian Spotted Crake

Black-tailed Native-hen

Little Grassbird

White-winged Fairy-wren