This week, among many other images, I captured some comically peeking honeyeaters and a close up of one of their targets.
New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800
Focusing on a bird’s eye can be tricky at the best of times and even more so when the bird isn’t large, when it’s constantly moving and when the wind is blowing the blossoms. This shot made me smile, it was funny to see the New Holland’s eye perfectly focused behind the kangaroo paw.
New Holland Honeyeaters are about 18cm and weigh about 20g.
New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800
This shot made me smile for the same reason. I keep planning a post called ‘There’s always something’ as often a beaut image is spoiled by a fly, or a branch, some dangling leaves or the bird closing its nictictating eyelid.
Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800
This young Eastern Spinebill has its long, de-curved bill deep inside the Kangaroo Paw where it is using its brush-tipped tongue to lap up the nectar. They measure just 15cm (much of which is their long bill) and weigh 11g, which is about the same as two teaspoons of sugar. Adult Eastern Spinebills have striking markings and are acrobatic feeders – images of the adults can be seen in other posts, including Among the blossoms
Kangaroo Paw
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800
I took this image with a long lens, a macro lens would have done a better job but I thought it would be good to share a close-up of a kangaroo paw flower. I think they are beautiful, so unique and clearly full of nectar for the foraging honeyeaters.
Happy birding
Kim
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Lovely images! A funny capture with the peeking eye!
Thank you Alyssa, it made me smile too 🙂
Beautiful pics Kim and wonderful to see different aspects that you highlight and which many would not pick up unless exposed to your photos so Thankyou once again for expanding our enjoyment and knowledge about our unique birds and plants.
Thank you Alison. I do love the way photography can show us details of the birds that we wouldn’t see as they flit around the blossoms (or apricots, as I’m about to post)
Lovelies birds ! All your pictures are wonderfull, light is very good and sharpness…. TOP !
I write you e-mail again Kim 😉
All the best and happy birding.
Thank you Nath. Hopefully you have received my reply to your email 🙂
I love ALL of these shots. The smaller birds so often move faster (and less predictably) than greased lightening that I struggle to keep up with them with my eyes let alone with camera gear.
Thank you so much for your superior skill and generosity in sharing.
Thank you EC. I love striving to photograph small birds, but having said that I’ve enjoyed seeing many of your beautiful bird images, thank you for sharing them!
I am a happy snapper. You are a photographer.