Bird Photos from Central Australia - a few more photos from my most recent favourite puddle spot

Mulga Parrot female

Mulga Parrot male

Splendid Fairy-wren

Australian Ringneck

Budgerigars

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

Redthroats, Splendid Fairy-wrens, Red-capped Robins and Yellow-rumped Thornbills

Yesterday morning was quite chilly and it took the birds about 30 minutes after the sunrise to start warming up. The Horsfields Bronze-cuckoo and Pallid Cuckoo were in full voice, and the Australian Ringneck and Mulga Parrots could be heard in the valleys. But it was a family of Redthroats that made the morning. I had seen them at a distance in a particular area, and left them alone for a little while, but returned before I jumped back in the car.

At first I could see the male, scampering around the bushes, lots of twigs in the way for any decent photos. Then I saw some of the juveniles in the same spot, who then hopped around into the sun to warm up. I got as close as I could without disturbing them, the sun at my back. Having seen these birds only a few times, I wanted to sit and watch for a little while. The younger ones didn't seem too fussed by my presence and continued to preen themselves on a low, exposed branch. Eventually the male adult returned with some food, then zoomed off. It think the adult female was sitting further in the bush, but keeping an eye out for me and anything else that could potentially pose a threat.

Redthroats

A Splendid Fairy-wren male hopped into the tree above me, and I took the first shot, then after a little flit here and there, flew down to the ground not far in front of me and started ferreting for food.

Splendid Fairy-wren

A female Red-capped Robin provided a little entertainment as it too perched, flew down for something then perched again although in a different spot. The male kept its distance. A little later, the female decided the Pallid cuckoo really shouldn't be so close to their home.

The Yellow-rumped Thornbills were quite numerous and quite noisy. Eventually they too came close enough for a photo

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Splendid Fairy-wren, Willie Wagtail, Hooded Robin, Yellow-rumped and Chestnut-rumped Thornbill bird photos

the Splendid Fairy-wren male (pictured above) really does have a striking presence in the bush. This particular one took a little while to strike the right pose. Photos sequence below:

Others, although not as colourful still make some striking poses.

Willie Wagtail

Hooded Robin

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

 

 Chestnut-rumped Thornbill

Fairy-wrens come out to play - White-winged, Variegated and Splendid

Saw all three Fairy-wrens in the one small area of bushes, and for once, they thought I was ok to hang around, especially the White-winged and the Variegated - seem to have trouble getting decent photos of these types.
It was interesting to see if I could hear the difference in their trills, but they all sound quite similar. Also, I was interested to try to gt photos of the females or young ones hanging around as well, but with all three in the same bushes, it was a little difficult to say for sure.

White-winged Fairy-wren

Variegated Fairy-wren

 

Splendid Fairy-wren