I had some exciting (human) visitors to my place (I’ll share more about them soon) and as they were leaving I headed back to the birdbaths and photographed twelve species in half an hour. When I loaded the images from my memory card it was pretty funny to spot one bird that was spin-drying itself.
1/1000, f/4.0, ISO 800
Canon R5, Canon 600 f/4 L IS USM
My shutter speed for the shot above was one thousandth of a second but it still wasn’t anywhere near fast enough to freeze the action. Even the water droplets were moving so quickly that they have become lines emanating from his sweet little head.
1/1000, f/4.0, ISO 800
Canon R5, Canon 600 f/4 L IS USM
This is the handsome male looking more normal, albeit a little damp.
1/1000, f/4.0, ISO 800
Canon R5, Canon 600 f/4 L IS USM
I love the female fairywrens too as I find their subtle colours have a beauty of their own. Female birds are often less colourful than males and this is often thought to relate to their need for camouflage when incubating their eggs. Only female fairywrens incubate the eggs but males share in the feeding duties. The fairywren above had a comical tuft of dark feathers above her bill that looked like a tiny moustache when they were wet from bathing.
A quick note about the calendars – I’ve had heaps of extra orders (including from people who were so pleased with their first order that they’ve asked for more – thank you!) that I’m organising a second printing. If you were disappointed to miss out please leave a comment (you may request for it to stay private) or email me at kim@lirralirra.com – I will need to confirm final numbers by Monday morning.
I have just photographed a White-necked Heron! It’s been many years since one has visited. It’s so exciting! It was a fair way across the paddock and the lighting isn’t perfect, but I hope to have captured some shots that will be good enough to share.
Happy birding, Kim
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The calendars arrived last week and are splendiferous Kim!! I’ve handed two out already and they were amazed and loved it!
So glad you, and the others, like them Tess 🙂
Thankyou Kim Thrilled with your calendar -a year of beautiful images
I’m so pleased you like it Ann, the feedback I’ve had has been really lovely, and is much appreciated
What a very comical photo, Kim – and quite a coincidence. Why? Because today I saw the first Fairy wren of the year! I had not seen one all year, down by the Brighton foreshore, and i usually see dozens of the little darlings. But not this year – some brutal, entitled idiots have been hacking illegally into large swathes of salt bush on council land with their hideous whipper snippers, as they don’t want any vegetation to even slightly obscure their million dollar sea views- and far too many fairy wrens have fled in terror. I was feeling really sad that I had not seen one in months – and felt that it was a bad omen for me. I was also worried about not seeing that flash of dazzling blue and black, as I know that the boys will be losing their blue feathers soon, now that Spring mating season is over. But I was rewarded today – and it made my heart sing! I came to a screeching halt on my bicycle, and was so thrilled to watch him, just clinging onto a tall thin strand of salt bush, as the sea wind picked up, he swayed in the breeze, and seemed to enjoy the ride! He was only about half a metre away from me, and we gazed at each other for about 10 minutes. Sheer bliss! Just behind him on the bay, there was a large flock of black swans, with their cygnets riding on the adults’ backs, the bubs snug and safely wrapped up by their parents’ big wings – so it was a double delight for me to see all this bird life. I can see why female fairy wrens are easily won over by the boys’ beautiful blue plumage – I think I’m in love, too! The older I get,the more obsessed I become with watching the birds – am I turning into Miss Marple?! I do think a baggy tweed outfit would suit me! P.S. (2nd printing of the calendar! How brill is that! All the talent and determination was yours – so please don’t thank me for any of it, ducky. All I did was boost your Vitamin C deficiency – that’s Vitamin Confidence! Congrats, Kim – you clever bird!)
What a wonderful bike ride you had to see all those beautiful sights and by coincidence, as I write, the fairywrens have brought their new family to my window! Ma, pa and three fluffy youngsters. I need to take my dogs outside so must rush, many thanks for all your encouragement!
Thanks Kim, your calendar is beautiful.
I’m so glad you like it Valda, and that it arrived so quickly, thank you
With feathered visitors like those, your human visitors would have to be VERY special to even rate a mention. I am looking forward to learning more, and thank you for the dose of feathered enchantment you give us each and every week.
My pleasure EC, and your calendars should be just about with you. I have tracking numbers here so please let me know if you’d like yours.
My Calendars arrived today and they are BEAUTIFUL. As I expected. Many, many thanks.
For future reference you might want to note on the envelope DO NOT BEND. The postie wedged mine in the letterbox and it took some delicate manoeuvering to get them out – fortunately undamaged.
I’d glad you like them EC. I paid extra to send them in Rigid Mailer envelops to protect the calendars. If they were bent to fit into your mailbox I believe you will be eligible for compensation… please let me know if you’d like to check this out and I’ll keep some replacements aside for you.
This is from the Aussie Post website: “Send your items with extra peace of mind with padded and rigid mailers… Rigid mailers are made from heavy-duty cardboard and have glued edges and double-fold corners for extra protection.” Compensation is available for up to $100.
EC, I have a record of the tracking number for your calendars if you haven’t kept yours, Kim