I started entering competitions to receive impartial feedback about my images and to be inspired by the images of other entrants. I entered club competitions initially, then nationals and internationals and have been happy to have received awards and to have showcased Australian birdlife locally and around the world. This week I was delighted to have been awarded the coveted FIAP Best Author award at the Maitland International Photography Salon. Fourteen of my images were successful and two received Salon Gold and Salon Bronze in the nature category.
For this post I thought I’d share one of the tiniest birds I photograph along with one of the largest. I wonder how many thornbills could sit side by side on a pelican’s bill – is anyone game to guess?
Brown Thornbill
Canon 5DIII, Canon 100-400mm L IS USM, 1/640, f/5.6, ISO 400, focal length 400mm
Brown Thornbills weigh 7g and are about 10cm from the tip of their bills to the tip of their tails, which makes me wonder how wide they’d be, which would help answer the pelican-bill question. One of my favourite things about bird photography is being able to examine birds in detail without causing the bird any stress. I examine their eyes, feet and bills, and especially the texture and length of their different feathers. Thornbills are exquisite.
Australian Pelican
Canon 7DII, Canon 100-400mm L IS USM, 1/1250, f/8, ISO 400, focal length 275mm
Pelicans are lumbering great birds that are easier to photograph than thornbills but still present a challenge when they’re on the move in overcast weather. They often look comical to me, especially the little ‘mohawk’ of feathers at the back of their heads. Pelicans are about 170cm and I’ve just found out, from Birds in Backyards, that their bills are about 40-50cm long.
Before I sign off I’d like to thank everyone who has encouraged me with bird photography, which includes lirralirra visitors, your support is much appreciated . Bird photography can be challenging, I can spend hours walking around or sitting patiently and not get a single decent shot, but at other times I can be surrounded by feathered beauty and return home with full memory cards. Even after discouraging days my love of birds keeps me wandering around outside, pressing the shutter button and unwillingly feeding the mossies and March flies as I strive to improve my images and share my love of nature.
Happy birding and follow your dreams, Kim
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Congratulations!!!! Your photos are all more than award worthy so I am glad that you are gaining recognition in that way. The little thornbill is so very detailed for being so tiny which is very impressive. I agree that the pelicans are kind of comical all the way around. 🙂
Thank you very much Sherry, you’re very kind. Your pelicans look so different to ours, it’s good to know they’re comical too!
Dear Kim
Congratulations on your award, which is richly deserved! This photo of the thornbill is as perfect as a bird photo could be, and is ample evidence of your dedication, skill and talent. Well done! We look forward to lots more.
Jenny
Thank you so much Jenny. Thornbills are one of my favourite little birds, such tiny little characters with such delicate markings.
Really excellent photos. Hearty congratulations to you
Thank you Gwen, I really appreciate your comment.
Congratulations, Kim! And thanks for your generosity in sharing your passion for these beautiful creatures with everyone – you are doing amazing and inspiring work!
Aw thank you Sue, you are so lovely, especially when it’s you that’s doing amazing and inspiring work!
Kim I’m absolutely thrilled to read about your success. Like others, I love your stunning photography. I admired your talent as a writer all those years ago in Darwin (remember our ABC audio broadcast?)and it’s fantastic to see you continuing with writing through your descriptive and entertaining posts. I feel a book coming on! Love Helen
Hi Helen, I do remember our ABC broadcast, such fun! ‘Love ya Darwin’ for me and ‘Trial by Coffee Morning’ for you. We must catch up and the sooner the better; send me an email when you can. And thank you for your lovely comments, talk soon xo
Such wonderful and well deserved awards! Your dedication and passion for your work shines through ❤️
Thank you lovely Lissa 🙂
PS I really appreciate your encouragement and support
How many willets does it take to occupy the full wingspan of an American White Pelican?
http://davidsparks.smugmug.com/Birds/Birds-bySpecies/Pelecaniformes/American-White-Pelican/i-VRJfkp9/A
YAY the link worked! Beaut image with stunning lighting and very topical too.
Thanks for the inspiration. Your photographs inspired me to upgrade to the 5D Mark III this week, & I’m so pleased I did
That is WONDERFUL Pauli! I love the 5DIII and hope it brings you heaps of pleasure.
well done, I have no idea where to enter wildlife type comps, Id prefer digital only because of the expense
You’d do well Julie. The first port of call is to google FIAP Patronages and look at the list of upcoming exhibitions and chose the ones that interest you most. The PSA site also has a list of exhibitions that might interest you.
I guess 8 thornbills to one pelican bill
As the only guesser you must be closest! Contact me via kim@lirralirra.com for your prize 🙂
Huge congratulations on your awards. Well deserved. Long may you continue.
It was a dream I hadn’t even dared to dream EC, thank you.
Dear Kim
Both pics marvellous, particularly liked the Pelican you dont often see a pic showing lift off
Thanks Alison. Pelicans are such comical birds, it’s hard to believe they can manage to get airborne at all.
Kim:
Congratulations on the awards! Well-deserved honors. I haven’t formulated a guess on thornbill-width/pelican-bill-length ratio yet, but I have some data concerning how many willets it takes to match the wingspan of a pelican. Will send you the data (a photo) via e-mail.
Thank you Dave. I’m glad you were able to send the link to your stunning willet/pelican shot.
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