I can’t help but smile when I hear the raucous chuckle of Laughing Kookaburras. Have you heard about those laughing clubs? I think it’s the same principal, it’s definitely a feel good sound.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 800
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
This kookaburra’s lower mandible is off-white, which means it is an adult bird. Young birds’ bill are fully black.
I photographed this kooka a while ago, the tree was right at the entrance of a campground in Mildura. I took a quick flurry of shots before realising it could be an active nest. Luckily this shot, and only this one, was worth sharing.
I love the shape and colours of the hollow so when I was contacted by the CSIRO about ‘hollow homes’ it was the obvious shot to offer them.
Little Boobook – Rick Dawson
Laughing Kookaburra – Kim Wormald
A Hollow is a Home by Abbie Mitchell with illustrations by Astred Hicks, is a fabulous book, packed with information about Australian animals. Some of the pages are more densely packed with information and although the marketing blurb recommends for readers 5+ I think that middle to upper primary is appropriate. It covers a few hundred critters and talks about conservation status and other important issues. This week’s post wasn’t supposed to be spruiking the book but when I chose today’s image it brought the book to mind.
You may have heard about the giant kookaburra built by an incredibly talented guy, Farvardin Daliri, during lockdown in Townsville. It’s massive, it’s brilliant and it laughs. To see and hear it click Giant Kookaburra
Happy birding, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
I understand and approve of the ethical stand on shots of nests. However, there are many times especially when the nests are in areas where people are present regularly the disturbance is minimal. Kookaburras have nested in a tree that we can see from our front door. I have been surprised sometimes when I look up from gardening and see them close. The young ones often trail along. When there are young in the nest they come and go frequently and our presence appears to be of little interest unless there is the possibility of unearthing something.
Unfortunately, there are many who neither care nor are even aware of the consequences of intruding on nesting sites. There are also some who do but the shot takes priority. Not giving them a platform to show the shots will limit their intrusions.
I agree entirely Stephen. I photographed Grey Fantails nesting here a few years ago. I was about 20m from the nest, I didn’t use that garden track for weeks, and I used a long lens so didn’t get any detailed close ups, just an idea of how quickly they were growing. I shared those images but now wish I hadn’t. It’s not that everyone does the wrong thing but some people certainly do, inadvertently or otherwise. Just this week I heard another devastating story of three photographers hovering over a nest and taking flash photographs. Maybe I’ll add a page link on lirralirra to the article I was asked to write on ethical bird photography for the Birdlife Australia magazine. I’ve just read a beaut reply to it in the current edition – thanks for making me think of that!
I adore kookaburras. Their raucous laugh (which I suspect is at rather than with the subject) sings of home. I am really glad that you posted the link to Dr Daliri’s creation as well. Learning that when he sets it going other kookaburras come to visit is a testament to just how well he captured their call. When I posted the link I was amazed to learn just how widely known the song ‘Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree’ has become.
Your photographs is an absolute beauty – and I hadn’t realised before that they mate for life OR that the family helps with child rearing. Huge thanks. I strongly suspect that I could/would learn from and enjoy A Hollow is a Home too.
It was because of your link that I first saw the giant kooka EC, thank you! Their social structure is quite beautiful and I love seeing families snuggled together as they settle down for the night. I could learn things from the book too!
Hi Kim. After seeing your post I went on line to see and hear the kookaburra’s call. What a riot! We have Pileated Woodpeckers that sound prehistoric too. I love it!
It’s a beautiful call, it used to crop up in African jungle movies too which is pretty funny. I’ve seen a Pileated Woodpecker, they’re huge!