The flowering quince is a jumble of exquisite red blossoms and annoying, thin branches that were tricky to avoid in most shots.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1600, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
The sun shone this week for the first time in ages and our temperatures reached the mid teens today. The grass was finally dry enough to be mown, in some places, and the light was pretty enough to grab my camera and sit near the flowering quince.
The photograph above was by far my favourite of the session. New Holland Honeyeaters seem to have the most comical expressions. This look seems disdainful and reminded me of a very posh dinner many years ago and the expression all the diners had on our faces as the waiting staff, in unison, lifted the silver lids from our plates to reveal minuscule specks of unidentifiable ‘food’.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1600, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
The shot above shows some of the distracting twigs that were finding their way into most of the day’s photographs, as well as the distant tree. I moved a little to get the honeyeater’s head positioned against the dark part of the background so its spiky white feathers would look more dramatic.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1600, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
New Holland Honeyeaters are striking looking birds and they have a character that matches their looks. They often visit in noisy, gregarious groups but there were only one or two at the japonica at the same time when I was watching this time.
Three fairywrens visited as well and I managed to get a few shots that I’ll share another day. The photograph I took of a distant pardalote definitely isn’t worth sharing – though there are heaps of exquisite pardalote shots here if you use the search box.
A few years ago I got some beaut shots of New Holland Honeyeaters on the japonica before it became as twiggy as it is now. Take a peek here if you’d like to see them: Delicious and delightful
Happy birding, Kim
PS I added an Ethics page that shares an article I wrote – it’s a 4 minute read on a subject that defines my approach to bird photography.
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~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
Absolutely stunning Kim. The contrasting colours and the character of the birds just shine. Thanks for your work – it brings joy to my day. Sue š
It was so good (and lucky) to make the most of a moment of sunshine. Your kind words brought joy to my day Sue, thank you, Kim
This is crazily dramatic Kim and the expression does need a caption!
I feel like it needs a caption too, if only I could think of one!
We used to make wonderful jam from the flowering quince. Love the photos.
What a beaut memory Carolyn. My grandma used to make quince jelly, which was a little tart, I loved it. I can still remember the mixture being strained through muslin cloth tied to the legs of an upturned stool. I’d be good to taste it again but hard to imagine all that work!
Beautiful shots Kim, winter cheer
Thanks Syndy. I like ‘winter cheer’ and wish I’d used it for the title of the post!
Both the quince and the New Holland Honeyeater are delightful – and thanks to the link to your early post which I also thoroughly enjoyed.
No sun here for days. Not much rain, but definitely no sun. Hopefully when dawn breaks today it will bring some sunshine with it.
We’re back to dull drizzle here this morning EC. I hope the sun shines for you soon, or that the mornings are cold enough to freeze bubbles – or preferably both!