When I spotted tiny Spotted Pardalotes in my garden this week I hoped to get some photographs to share.
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mmL IS USM EXT
These exquisitely marked little birds spend most of their time foraging for psyllids in the canopy. I hear their loud call much more often than I see them. They have a three note call, with the second two notes being higher pitched than the first: I don’t always hear the first, lower note.
The rose between two thorns, above, is a female. She is more subtly marked than the male but still absolutely stunning. The spots on her head are yellow rather than white and she doesn’t have a yellow throat.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 2500
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mmL IS USM EXT
The male Spotted Pardalote is more contrasty, with his bright colours, black head with white spots, white eyebrow, bright yellow throat and a red rump.
At approximately 9cm and 8g, these tiny birds are often hard to spot, and when spotted they can be tricky to identify until their colours are glimpsed in good light. Photographing these birds was quite comical, and involved a lot of luck. I set up beneath my hide and waited, not just for the birds to arrive (hopefully) but also for the light to improve (hopefully) enough to press the shutter button. ISO 1600 is my preferred highest setting but I went to ISO 2500 to capture the male.
As I was peering through the lens I was super puzzled by the amount of movement that I stupidly presumed was coming from my tripod. I tightened everything but the movement didn’t stop. I felt pretty silly when I realised it was the rose cane moving in the wind. Trying to focus on those tiny eyes when the birds were only there for a moment, constantly looking around and changing direction, and when the cane was moving up and down in the wind… it was interesting!
I hope you enjoy this week’s lockdown lovelies, I’ll try to find something beautiful to photograph for next week’s post.
Happy birding from home, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
You got some lovely shots, Kim. I have been hearing them around my place lately too but have only caught a glimpse once or twice. The call is so loud and clear especially when I know they are in my very bushy gum tree and I just can’t see them.
One day recently I was doing a spot of weeding and was wandering back toward the gum when there he was in all his glory and all I had was a trowel!
Today, I spotted one in a Plane tree in our street when we were coming back from my walk and it was quite a clear sighting but I had my super long lens with 2x converter on and when I tried to aim it at the bird, I couldn’t see it so I took another look without the camera and was aimed it up only to find that it had flown! And I had my 2 3/4 yr old granddaughter with me who I’d told about the tricky hiding bird who had said, “Take a photo, Grandma!”
Ah well, I will keep trying to get a better photo but I do love having them around and feel especially lucky to have the variety of species we get here compared to where I used to live in Melbourne…and I’m not in lockdown!
Hi Kim, how lovely that you have them in your garden too! And how funny about your trowel, I definitely know that kind of feeling. I hope your granddaughter got to see the one in the Plane tree. Their call is incredibly loud for such a tiny bird. I saw the pair in my garden with nesting material so I’m hopeful that there will soon be some babies around.
I think it’s awesome to see them, with or without a photograph, Kim 🙂
BRAVO those photos are stunning of such tiny little subjects. Your patience was well rewarded and thank you for sharing.
How lovely to hear from you Sherry! They are exquisite little subjects, they make me smile.
He’s gorgeous! Just love him, your photos always inspire grabbing the paintbrush, thanks for sharing.
These are arguably our most beautiful birds, almost unbelievably beautiful. They make me wish I could paint too.
Love the shots, certainly brightened my day. Interesting how they dodge the thorns! I find it amazing who our visitors are.
I was seriously concerned when they started vigorously preening with those thorns so close!
Stunning photos of these gorgeous little birds! I felt very blessed to see them in your garden a while back!
I’m so pleased you had the chance to see them. They’re so tiny and so incredibly beautiful
I adore these subtle little charmers – and am super impressed at your photographs since like many of the small birds they move faster and less predictably than greased lightening. I rescued a female a few months ago. She had flown into our laundry and was bashing frantically on the window and ignoring the door. I captured her in a t-towel (very gently) and carried her outside to where her mate was waiting and anxiously cheeping. I was thrilled when they flew off together.
Oh my goodness EC! How gorgeous to have been able to release her and see her fly away with her mate. I feel like they’ll be reminding each other of the story too.
Stunning little birds! I’m glad they came to visit you x
Oh so I am Ainslie, I appreciate their company so much x
Wonderful detail as always, Kim. Thanks so much for sharing.
They’re so beautiful, they make me smile just thinking about them
Wonderful photos again Kym.
Linda.
Thanks so much Linda 🙂