A couple of weeks ago I wrote with great excitement about the reappearance of Scarlet Robins and now the Flame Robins have reappeared too. I didn’t know how much I adored them until they came this close.
1/800, f/4.5, ISO 1600
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
Such tiny feathery bundles of perfection. I was super happy with the place this male Flame Robin chose to perch. I like the way it has a foot on each part of the branch and the way the branch curves around its body to the right. The lighting was beautiful for this shot, highlighting the flaming orange of its throat and underparts while maintaining detail. I was fascinated by the smudge of deep orange above the white dot on its forehead, I can’t find mention of this in my main field guide.
1/1000, f/5.0, ISO 5000
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
There were a pair of male Flame Robins visiting at the same time, feasting on mole cricket larvae that were coming up for air due to the rain. Like other robins they perch to look for prey, and pounce when they see it. Once they’d caught something they brought it back to the perch…
1/1000, f/4.5, ISO 5000
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
to bash it against the wood…
asdf
1/1000, f/5.0, ISO 5000
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
before swallowing it. I thought this shot looked great for the title ‘Singing in the Rain’ until I spotted the last speck of larvae disappearing.
1/640, f/4.5, ISO 2500
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
I hope these little beauties come back soon as they brighten my day, a lot.
I’m half way through packing my car and preparing notes for the house-sitters before heading to Victorian wetlands for a weekend where I’ll be photographing dead and wounded birds. I feel sickened. Please, I implore you, send a note to the inquiry urging them to permanently ban recreational duck shooting in Victoria, and please ask your family and friends to do the same – thank you so much – nativebirdhunting@parliament.vic.gov.au
Happy birding, Kim
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What exquisite little birds you have captured once again with such amazing clarity. They must be just sitting outside my window!
I have written my imploring note to parliament, just brief but heart felt. One day……….?
Email sent. My heart goes out to the ducks and to those who, like you, will witness and document the slaughter.
How I hope this is the last year this obscenity takes place.
Thank you for the Flame Robbins – a HUGE bright spot in a sad and confronting time.
Dear Kim, that is not an exciting or satisfying job for anyone but especially a person like you who is totally committed to the protection and conservation of our beautiful feathered friends.
Your photos of this horrific killing of gentle, defenceless birds must be shown to the world and, in particular, all Australians. People are so busy and focused on just trying to survive health and financial woes that the senseless slaughter of our birds is not a priority.
However, posting photos and stories of what is occurring is absolutely vital to ensure that this ‘killing for the sake of killing’ stops forever.
As stated, everyone who cares about these birds can be part of the solution by just writing a few lines to the inquiry demanding a permanent ban on duck shooting in Victoria.
Send out an SOS on all social media platforms and SMS family and friends to join you in stopping the senseless, cruel and agonising deaths of thousands of ducks and the destruction of their wetland homes.
nativebirdhunting@parliament.vic.gov.au
“Unnecessary violence against animals is a heinous crime. Be a voice for those who do not have one.” Deborah Mridha
PLEASE STAY SAFE.