Thursday 6 January 2011

Neither a birder nor a twitcher be ... just sit and listen

Left: Male King ParrotRight: Female King Parrot

There is a distinction between a 'birder' and a 'twitcher' in that the latter is meant to be paranoid about ticking off their sightings, and will go to great lengths to add to their prized list.

Left: Immature Male Regent Bower Bird.Right: Mature Male Regent Bower Bird on the wing.

I neither heard nor saw Albert's Lyrebird. I neither saw nor heard the Wompoo Fruit Dove.

It is immensely difficult to photograph birds, especially if one is new to the activity, as am I. The little buggers flit!

Left: Male Superb Fairy Wren (Blue-wren)Right: Female Superby Fairy Wren (Jenny-wren)

There can be just a few things nicer than walking a rainforest trail with light rain falling, and a cachophany of bird-calls resounding through the canopy. There were times when I was the only person in sight, and the birds were calling all around me, and sweeping past me from one side of the track to the other - enjoying the game. The camera went away then, I sat on a rock, and just enjoyed.

Left: Eastern Yellow RobinRight: Red-browed Finch

The sweetest and friendliest bird was the Eastern Yellow Robin.

Left: Brown Cuckoo-DoveRight: Brush Turkey

I think my favourite bird was the Logrunner. His camouflage is just great, and he digs so far into the forest floor, to disappear from sight beneath the debris, and all I could hear was the occasional chirp so his partner could still locate him.

Left: Rufous Fan-tailRight: Logrunner

I heard the Green Catbird caterwaul many times, but not once did I see it.

Left: Eastern SpinebillRight: Crimson Rosella

In total, I photographed 23 different species. Many of the shots are very poor. Not shown here, but languishing on my hard drive are: White-headed Pigeon, Wonga Pigeon, Top-knot Pigeon, Yellow-throated Scrub-wren, White-browed Scrub-wren, Lewin's Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Golden Whistler, Grey Fantail, Paradise Riflebird, and Bassian Thrush.

Next: Lord Howe Island at the end of February.

22 comments:

Luis Gomez said...

Julie, these are beautiful. Love all the birds.

Anonymous said...

That bird in flight is quite a sight. At this very moment I have fifty parrots ripping into my camphor tree.

Unknown said...

I am impressed by how colorful the birds are. Are all these indigenous to Australia? Very handsome birds.

I agree that bird photography is challenging but you have some very nice photos to show for your effort.

Kay L. Davies said...

The words "bird" and "Australia" are firmly linked in my mind. Never have I seen so many birds outside an aviary as I saw in Queensland in 1982. Australia is a magic place, and birds are a large part of the magic.
Thanks, Julie, this is wonderful.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

biebkriebels said...

The birds in Australia are so colourful, it is really an other world. We never see such birdies here only in a zoo. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photo's.

Ann said...

Lord Howe! Paradise, my favourite place on earth and its far too many years since I've been there. But I can't go o/s and to Lord Howe as well. Where are you staying? I go to Pinetrees on the lagoon. Really looking forward to seeing your photos from that one.

Haven't seen a blue wren for a very long time.

Jim said...

I'm most imprssed by the blue wren. The colour on this one is brilliant.

Unknown said...

This post is a feast for the eye! Awesome birds and shots. Excellent work, Julie.

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Julie - Beautiful shots.

Thanks for stopping by CVDP. I hope you dry out soon.

Barb

Anonymous said...

Stunning photos. Fungi yesterday were great too.

RedPat said...

Fabulous shots! You did very well with your bird shots. The birds themselves are beautiful - a real treat for the day. Thank you!!

Lynette said...

A beautiful post. I can only imagine, with the help of your photos, what it must have been like to be there, camera in hand, until I too would have taken a seat to take it all in. Thank you so much for sharing.

Please stop by on Thursday, after midnight on Wednesday even, at Portland Oregon Daily Photo to see my first ever embedded video. It shows my younger son Leland bouldering at The Circuit in Portland, Oregon, as filmed by his older brother Lamont, who also boulders.

Joan Elizabeth said...

23 species photographed ... you're amazing. King Parrots, Rosellas, Eastern Spinebills and Satin Bowerbirds are all regular visitors to my garden. We have also see occasionally the Blue Wren, Finch, and Yellow Robin. I don't in the least bit mind missing out on the Scrub Turkey! As for the Regent Bower Bird they are a Queensland bird ... but there is a small black bird with red beak that scurries on the ground mostly that has turned up in my garden in the past week and I don't have a clue what it is. The bird book and web have not helped me thus far.

Julie said...

How about a Dollar-bird (immature). His wing feathers glisten to irridescent green in the sunlight.

Or

How about a male Blackbird who would appear to have a bit of grey scalloping on the breast.

Jilly said...

Am so enjoying these bird photos. I remember seeing a brush turkey on one of the beaches up in the Daintree. Seem to remember a nest too.

Particular love your Eastern Spinebill.

Crafty Green Poet said...

what a lovely variety of beautiful birds!

Joan Elizabeth said...

Thanks .. I thought you might have some ideas.

Seemed to be too small and not plump enough shape for a blackbird.

Dollar bird maybe but the description says they perch and dive rather than forage on the ground.

Will look at him closer if he shows up again.

diane b said...

A great collection. You have done well with the flitters.
I had a Wompoo Crash land on our deck after banging into a window.

brattcat said...

This is all just brilliant.

magiceye said...

wonderful captures!!

Julie said...

It pleases me immensely that a post with so many birds has given such pleasure. My readers surprse, yet delight, me.

Thank you.

Stefan Jansson said...

Some cool birds here.