What absolutely, amazingly, remarkably beautiful parrots – shivers of loveliness.
Their colours are glorious. Mallee Ringnecks are a sub-species of the Australian Ringneck and to my mind the prettiest of the four sub-species.
The male is perched at the top of the branch. His shoulder is a deeper blue and he lacks the brownish-olive mantle of the female that is perched to his left. The greens, blues and turquoises are stunning, right to the tips of their tails.
All four of the Australian Ringneck species have distinct yellow collars. The Port Lincoln Parrot and the Twenty-eight both have black heads, while the Clonclurry Parrot is a paler version of the Mallee without the Mallee’s red frontal band.
I photographed these ringnecks at Gluepot Reserve. Their range is quite extensive and includes arid, inland areas of South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and north-western Victoria. They feed on seeds, fruits, flowers and some insects. I usually see them feeding on the ground or in low shrubs like eremophila.
I have been away from home for much longer than expected due to others in the house continuing to test positive for the dreaded lurgy and I’m concerned that I won’t have time to create a calendar for next year. I’m especially sad as I have many exquisite photographs ready to print. On a brighter note, I’m incredibly grateful to my fellow photographer and amazing friend, Carol, for making me so welcome at her home. My reverse lockdown experience was a pretty fabulous experience.
Happy birding, Kim
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What a delight to see (and photograph). They haven’t to my knowledge appeared near us and I would be beside myself to see them.
I am sorry you are still away from home, but don’t bust your gut trying to rush the calendar. If it happens it happens and there is always next year. And a plethora of beautiful birds to delight you (and us).
They are such glorious colours aren’t they. I’ll share another species soon, that I was thrilled to see. I wish I could find a print on demand company that could create beautifully printed calendars – the way Redbubble used to. That way I could focus on the photographs, text and design but not need to handle the payments and mailings. It’s tricky to find enough time when life is busy with the little ones and a garden that is clearly trying to claim the house.
You are wise to protect yourself from covid, Kim. As we get older, this virus causes massive inflammation in the body that can easily trigger the dreaded fatigue of long covid. I have a couple of friends in their 50s and 60s with long covid, and they can barely function, poor things. i hear people coughing that nasty covid cough all over the place – no masks anymore to stop the spread of infection to others, just that typical Aussie apathy, pretending covid is all over. Your energy is a precious thing – defend it, because that is your life force, and your ‘joie de vivre.’ And you certainly give us all great joy with your brilliant bird photography.
These 2 ringnecks are dazzlers! I never cease to be amazed by the flamboyantly bright plumage of Aussie birds. I only discovered the wonder of the mulga parrot, a while ago, thanks to you – and these 2 ringnecks are just as marvellous as that glorious mulga parrot – they all shine like opals in your photos. It’s not just the colours that are so appealing – it’s also the elegant, aerodynamic swoop of the wings and that long shard of a tail. The soft and subdued grey of the background is a nice touch – and it really makes the colours glow. Mother Nature is showing off with these birds – you did well to capture it.