This morning I heard a strange racket from the back of the property… I headed off with my camera under my arm and saw four Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoos munching on pine cones. The strange sounds were coming from a youngster as it tested its voice. My photographs of these guys were pretty awful but I’ve been thinking of them all day which made me decide to share photographs of their lovely cousins in this post. And now I’m a bit concerned that the link is so tenuous you’ll all think I’ve gone barmy due to lack of sleep, and you could be right.
1/640, f/4.0, ISO 5000
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
These exquisite cockatoos are truly delightful. There is a gentleness about them that is almost meditative. 1/640th of a second is a slow shutter speed for most bird photography but gang-gangs are very relaxed when munching on hawthorn berries.
The females can be surprisingly tricky to spot among the branches due to their subtle colours. The two-tone fringing on the feathers of their underparts is seriously pretty while their wispy crest looks as though a breeze has lifted their head feathers.
It was early evening when I photographed these birds. The female was in the shade, hence the slower shutter speed and higher ISO.
1/800, f/4.0, ISO 1600
Canon R5, Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM
Male Gang-gang Cockatoos are far more dramatic to look at but are almost as difficult to spot when feeding. Often the first hint of them is hearing their creaky gate call or the soft sound of falling twigs as they feed. I turned around from the female gang-gang to see this male as he savoured the berries. He was bathed in the late afternoon light. The males have some two-tone fringing on their underparts but their crowning glory is their bright red, wispy topknot. I think I’m in love.
Happy birding, Kim
~ Prints and gifts Lirralirra Shop
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
I actually saw these cockies once or twice last year! 🙂
They are SO beautiful!
Super beautiful!
Thanks Alyssa! They are so magical to watch.
Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing, Kim.
My pleasure Liz. They were such a joy to spend time with.
So lovely that they visit your garden Kim. Beautiful photos thanks. Best wishes, Valda
I am very lucky with the birds here Valda, and some very fascinating insects too!
Thank you for the delightful (early) start to my day. They are the avian bird of my city but I very, very rarely see them. I hear them, but they don’t favour my side of town.
It would be interesting to know if putting in plant trees/bushes would encourage them to extend their range. It would have to be a pretty huge, well-coordinated project…
There are lots trees/bushes on this side of town. I wonder what would attract them. And yes, it would need to be a big project.
They are very attracted to hawthorn berries but I can’t imagine any project condoning planting a weed species
I totally ADORE these photos Kim!! Gang Gangs are my favourites but I don’t get the chance to see them any more. Your post tonight has made me smile big time.
I hope you get to see them sometime soon Tess, they really are adorable aren’t they.