Among the blossoms

Capturing images of acrobatic Eastern Spinebills among the blossoms is one of my favourite ways to while away some hours.

 

Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

 

If you get a good look at one of these tiny honeyeaters they are super easy to identify as they have such a long, de-curved bill. They are about 15cm from the tip of their bill to the end of their tail and they weigh about 11g and their markings and eye colour are extraordinarily beautiful.

 

Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

 

Sometimes I touch a blossom where they’ve been gathering nectar and it’s surprising how little pressure it takes to bend the plant. I like the way this bird has stretched its legs to get a firm foot hold.

 

Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

 

The spinebill above is starting to get some of its dark, adult plumage on its head, along with some russet feathers on its neck. Like other honeyeaters, spinebills have brush-tipped tongues to help them take nectar. The length of the spinebill’s beak means that it can gather nectar from long tubular flowers like kangaroo paws.

 

 

Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

 

The image above was taken using a shutter speed of 1/1600th of a second, which was still not fast enough to freeze its wings. I often like motion-blur in cases like this as it seems to more accurately portray the moment. Spinebills are the closest we have to hummingbirds.

 

Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

 

Those spindly little legs don’t seem strong enough to suspend this acrobat as it feeds and helps to pollinate various plant species.

If anyone can identify the plant species I’ll add a note (and credit your brilliance). I don’t think they’re all natives, I hope none are weeds.

Happy birding

Kim

 

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