This week I’m sharing two super exciting pieces of wonderful news along with a trip down memory lane to Lord Howe Island where I spent many wonderful hours perched on a cliff top watching Red-tailed Tropicbirds.
I absolutely loved my trip to Lord Howe and wish I could magic myself there again. I’ve shared this photograph before but since then I’ve developed more skill processing RAW images and I prefer this version, though it was awarded the way I had it before so perhaps I’m being overly fussy. When I was exhibiting the image I called it ‘Celestial’.
Red-tailed Tropicbirds are magnificent. They have sturdy red bills that they use to capture fish and squid, and long red tail feathers that look like streamers. They are graceful flyers but struggle more on land. They are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in New South Wales and Queensland.
I’ve had some wonderful news over the past couple of weeks that I have been shy about sharing – I love hearing about other people’s happy news so will take a deep breath and share it with you. Two things have happened. I was incredibly honoured to be one of two recipients of the much coveted SSVAPS award (State Service Victorian Association of Photographic Societies) “given for exceptional service to promote the growth and the advancement of photography in the State of Victoria“. The other recipient was another Knox Photographic Society member, my talented friend Noel Butcher. It is very humbling to receive such an award and I’m sincerely grateful to KPS and VAPS for honouring my work in this way.
The second happy news relates to the Nature Photography Exhibition that I recently opened for the Melbourne Camera Club. One of my images, the Mulga Parrot that featured on the front of last year’s lirralirra calendar (see below), won the People’s Choice Award and I’m soon to be the proud owner of Georgina Steytler’s book ‘For the Love of Birds‘. Georgina is an awesome photographer and we share a deep commitment to ethical wildlife photography (see the ethics tab above to visit her website). She also has the most amazing laugh, just thinking about it makes me smile!
And now for a calendar update. Last year’s calendar sold so many copies that I had to organise a second printing – thank you all so much for your wonderful support. All the proceeds went to support my ethical conservation photographing.
I’m just starting to work on this year’s calendar and am wondering what the focus should be. So far I’ve thought about raptors, or maybe birdbath visitors, or perhaps portraits. Or perhaps an eclectic mix… if anyone has a preference or an idea I’d love to hear it.
Happy birding, Kim
~ Prints and gifts Lirralirra Shop
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
Such a stunning image! And well deserved accolades that you should not be shy about sharing. Congratulations!
Birdbath visitors is a sweet idea. Maybe every month could include a tip for creating a popular bird bath like yours 🙂
Oh thank you Alyssa, that is an interesting idea!
For one dreadful moment, I thought the red tail was actually a length of fishing line tangled onto the bird -( I found a seagull last week washed up on the beach that died with its legs all tangled up with fishing line – that’s one bird too many) then I looked again and was relieved to see it was a natural part of this beautiful bird – what an angelic spreading of its wings. Congrats on the well- deserved accolades! And I’m so glad your ‘flying opal’ Mulga parrot won an award – that’s a great shot. You can see the cleverness in the parrot’s eyes. It’s brilliant that your calendars sold so well last year – great to know that you have an eager audience willing to purchase your work every year. It all helps to keep your boat afloat!
Their tail streamers look amazing. The first tropicbird I saw was just before dawn on a ship heading through the Panama Canal. The lights from the ship lit it up and it was incredible to see.
So sorry to hear about the gull; that kind of entanglement happens way too often. Thanks for you kind words about the awards and calendars!
THE ACCOLADES ARE WELL DESERVED KIM.
LOVE YOUR IMAGES, LOVE YOUR CALENDARS.
LOVE YOU.
TTFN
AVE.
That is super lovely of you Avril! Thanks so much, and thanks for your previous calendar orders xo
Congratulations Kim on your awards. You’re a very worthy recipient. I love seeing your photos of the birds and reading your accompanying info. Always a highlight of my week.
Cheers
Liz
Thanks heaps Liz, that makes me happy.
Fingers crossed on the comments issue. I have so missed being able to see them.
Some of the unasked for changes are very peculiar aren’t they!
WONDERFUL news. And images.
You deserve both accolades – and more.
Given the quality of your images I will buy your calendar whatever you choose to feature.
That’s very kind of you EC, three lots of very kind!