Even the drizzle couldn’t straighten my smile as I photographed this sensational Lewin’s Honeyeater as it sipped nectar from the mid-winter blossoms on the weeping apricot.
1/800, f/4.0, ISO 2500, handheld
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
I think of Lewin’s Honeyeaters as ‘crescent moon’ birds due to their striking yellow ear patch. Their feathers range through various greens and greys, they have a yellow gape and adults have a blue iris. This honeyeater didn’t spend long at the top of the weeping apricot before ducking into the tangle of branches.
1/800, f/4.0, ISO 2500, handheld
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
I was photographing this honeyeater through a window about 15-20 metres from the tree. The bird wasn’t disturbed but did glance towards me occasionally – birds are very sensitive to their surroundings.
1/800, f/4.0, ISO 2500, handheld
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
Can you spot the sepal caught in the honeyeater’s bill? There are a few raindrops in the pink blossom shots, the drops on the same focal plane as the Lewin’s Honeyeater are clear while other drops are fuzzier blobs.
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 400
The first inkling I get that Lewin’s Honeyeaters are visiting is usually the sound of their loud ‘rapid fire’ call. They generally eat small fruits but also take insects and nectar.
1/640, f/5.6, ISO 400
Sometimes they briefly visit my bird baths.
1/640, f/5.6, ISO 640
Young Lewin’s Honeyeaters have brown irises and the beautiful little one above has an iris which has started to turn blue.
Happy birding, Kim
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Beautiful photos of this lovely noisy bird. We have many on our property but this Autumn there are more than usual and they are nearly outnumbering the dusky honeyeaters. There are also many young birds with the crisp clear feather colours. (Sunshine coast hinterland – QLD)
That sounds amazing Carolyn, it must be fantastic to see and hear them so often. Sadly no duskies visit my place, though they would be very welcome!
Oh dearie me, no! Neenish tarts are most definitely an Aussie invention! They date back to the 1890s – no one really knows where the name came from – perhaps a Mrs Neenish ran out of cocoa one baking day! Anyway, whenever the moon was only half full, my old Gran would look up at the sky and say – ‘Oh look, kids – it’s a neenish moon tonight!’
Now I’m going to start saying – ‘Oh look – it’s a neenish bird!’
The ornothologists might not approve – but it’ll give me a giggle!
That is so interesting Deirdre! I’ve just done a bit of internet research and came across the Mrs Neenish idea too. Now you’ve got me thinking about birds and moons as neenish, so funny.
Wow I had never heard of these birds! They look so beautiful against the pink flowers and misty rain 😍
They’re lovely aren’t they. Hopefully they’ll come back when the light is nicer, but I’m glad you liked them with the pink and the rain.
Blissful photos – I love the blue eyes of the adult bird, like pale sapphires. It’s funny, when you wrote that you think of them as crescent moon birds, the first thing I thought of when I saw that ear patch was a neenish tart! That’s my love of pastries revealing itself! Half vanilla and half chocolate icing – I reckon I’ll call them Neenish birds from now on!
Neenish birds! That’s hilarious. I think neenish tarts might be Dutch as the only time I’ve seen them was when the local baker was Dutch (but that could be completely wrong). When I share a photograph of the honeyeaters on my fb page I’ll have to include your description too 🙂
What a beauty – and an excellent antidote to listening to hunters speak at the enquiry.
Blossom in early winter is another treat – and a gorgeous backdrop.
I’m watching the hearing and the blossoms at the moment…
Mother Nature at work to ensure she maintains the balance and each and every one of her creatures can survive!!!!
I’m listening to shooters speaking at the Parliamentary Inquiry 🙁
Not only is the Lewin’s Honeyeater a gorgeous little bird but the pink flowers make the photos even more interesting and more beautiful and provide a wonderful backdrop for this very cute, melodic and busy little bird.
Nature once again paints a magical picture and captured in a moment by your skilful hand.
“Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing and privilege it is just to be alive.” Martin Rubin
You know some lovely quotes Barbara. It fascinates me that this tree blossoms in the middle of winter. It’s enjoyed by many birds and other pollinators, and has a beautiful scent too.