Busy week

I’ve had a busy week, including several days spent in the bush. The days were too overcast for photography but I enjoy spending time with the birds regardless of the weather.

Recently I’ve started entering competitions in an endeavour to keep improving the quality of my images. I’ve been lucky to have some images accepted for national and international exhibition, some of which will be on display at the Pakenham National Photographic Exhibition 2013, at the Cardinia Cultural Centre between 10am-5pm on Saturday 21 September and 10am-3pm on Sunday 22 September. The exhibition will feature 375 images in a wide range of genres, so if you live locally it could be a good place to visit.

I won’t post images this week that will be displayed in Pakenham but the Noisy Friarbird and the Silvereye have received acceptances in other competitions.

 

 Noisy Friarbird – “Nosy Friarbird

 

Noisy Friarbirds are strange-looking birds, they’re about 34cm long and weigh about 117g. They are easily identified by their bare black heads and upper necks, along with the distinctive casque, or bump, on the base of their bills. Their red eyes look almost unbelievably bright.

 

 

Silvereye – “King of the Castle

 

Silvereyes, at just 11cm and 11g, are much tinier than Noisy Friarbirds. I especially enjoy photographing small birds. The challenge of capturing them is increased because of their size, their constant activity and the fact that they prefer to remain hidden in the bush and only perch in the open for brief moments.

 

Bush Stone-curlew – “Withering Look

 

This Bush Stone-curlew image was taken in captivity so cannot be entered into competitions in the nature category; there are strict and excellent guidelines in place to ensure that nature images are completely natural. I took the Bush Stone-curlew image as I was fascinated by its bristle-brush eyelashes, the colour of its iris and the withering look which made it easy to pick the image title.

Happy birding, Kim

 

 

NB It is now possible to receive a weekly email letting you know that lirralirra has been updated – just add your address to the ‘Subscribe to email’ box above right. My thanks to the subscribers who have let me know how well this option is working.

Also, I recently added a Facebook ‘like’ button. Thank you to all ‘likers’ – I like you too!

 

 

10 comments to Busy week

  • YAY for you and I can see why your images would be accepted for such greatness, they are AMAZING!

  • Wow, congrats on having your photos displayed. I have always enjoyed seeing your lovely images and cool birds. Have a happy week!

  • hi kim
    when it s cloudy, it s never easy for photographie
    but the contrasts are better too, almost for black or white subject, we have more details thanks in a sun too strong
    but thanks for these pictures, it s a good job, composition, attitudes and bokeh are well balanced
    happy birding =)))

    • lirralirra

      That’s so true about contrasts Eric, it’s much better to avoid dark shadows if possible. Aren’t we lucky to enjoy birds and bird photography!

  • Congratulations on having your photos accepted for display at the Pakenham National Photographic Exibition! Those are great images of the Noisy Friarbird, Silvereye, and Bush Stone-curlew. I enjoy spending some time each week with various birds of Australia via lirralirra.

  • Congratulations on your well deserved competition success. And all of your images this week are stunning.
    Am I right in thinking that the Silver-Eye is on a fig tree? Growing up they were the bane of my existence when they hollowed out the fruit which then fell to the ground and rotted to become part of my clean-up duties. It took some years before I could appreciate their cheeky charm again.

    • lirralirra

      You’re right EC, the Silvereye is on a fig tree. It would have been a rotten job to pick up the decomposing fruit, I hope you weren’t bothered by wasps. I’ll be thinking of you when I’m photographing Silvereyes on this year’s crop.

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