Today I had the most magical birding experience I’ve ever had, pure magic.
I have a fairly long driveway and over the past few weeks I’ve been removing waist-high weeds and long tangles of blackberry canes. Today I was walking back towards the house to get the ride-on mower with its incredibly handy trailer when I picked up a small stick from the gravel. It was about 30cm (1′) long with some leaves at one end. I held it in my hand with the leafy part on one side and about 10cm (4″) of stick on the other. As I was walking I saw a couple of small birds cross the driveway a few metres ahead of me while another landed on the fence to my right. I stopped so I wouldn’t frighten the little one on the fence as I wanted it to feel safe enough to quickly join the others.
It was close enough that I could see it was a young Grey Fantail. Beautiful. It watched me for a moment then flew towards me and landed on the stick I was holding, where it stayed looking at me for about a minute. I was spellbound. My arm was bent in front of me so the fantail was very close, and so very beautiful. Pure magic.
I wonder if it is related to the fantail in the image, one of my very favourite shots and one of the few photographs I have printed and framed for my home. At full resolution this shot is incredible. The detail of its tiny feathers is exquisite. I love it in a way that somehow nurtures my spirit, just looking at it gives me joy. I hope it makes you feel the same way.
Happy birding, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
That’s an experience that wont be forgotten readily. Didn’t realize it so much orange on the head. Must be a juvenile, as you said, and not as frightened of you if older.
It was wonderful Togram. This wasn’t the little one that landed on me but was a youngster I photographed here a while ago. The warm evening lighting (the golden hour) brings out the colours more than midday sunshine.
I love this image too and what an experience.
Thanks so much Peter, I’m still smiling about it
Young Fantails are absolutely gorgeous. You have been blessed.
‘Blessed’ is definitely how I felt Malcolm. I’d just been thinking about you before it happened as the Stream Frontage program was on my mind. I hope many bird blessings have been coming your way.
Just perfect, something you’ll treasure forever. Love the connection of colour between lichen and bub
It was amazing Syndy, definitely something to treasure forever. I really like the lichen too, and the bird of course!
How wonderful, that’s just amazing! what a little cutie they are!
It really was wonderful Donna, I feel super lucky
Oh. How absolutely gob-smackingly wonderful. Did you walk back to the house or float???
I think I’m still floating EC
That gave me a good feeling too. Sometimes we have an experience with wildlife that is totally out of the blue and with no camera between us and them, we can truly feel connected just for a few moments.
Thanks for sharing your special moment and with such a lovely little bird! I could watch Fantails for hours as they flit around catching insects. So beautiful with their pretty little faces and waggling fan-shaped tails.
Wishing you more interactions in future!
That’s so true about experiences with wildlife Kim. I often find that it seems to happen when I need it most, which is especially welcome. I love watching fantails too, the babies are comical aren’t they as they try to catch flying insects, it’s a bit hit and miss to start with. I wish you more beautiful wildlife interactions too, lots of them.
Oh Kim! What an incredibly magical encounter! To have that ultimate trust from a wild bird out of the blue is just the finest thing. How I LOVE this pic! Thank you for sharing this exquisite connection with your lovely feathered friend. It doesn’t get much more special than that. 😍🥰😘
Thank you so much Denise. Re-reading your comment has made me re-live the moment, which is very special! I just tried to copy and paste the emojis but it wouldn’t work, I’m sending them by cyber space instead
What an amazing and beautiful experience! You will relive that minute many times over.
It has probably watched you working extremely hard loading up the trailer and intuitively knew you needed a precious moment so you could sleep with a smile.
Sharing your story allows us to feel your joy.Thank you!
It was seriously wonderful Margot. Now whenever I’m watching fantails in the garden I wonder which one it was. I definitely did need a precious moment, thank you x