Category: where I live

Red Browed Finch

October 22, 2020

I watched this little finch and its mate hopping around outside my window. They seemed to be making a nest in amongst the wisteria. I took some photos through the closed window, hence the foggy appearance and lack of clarity in the photos. I really need to wash the windows! Then I tried to sneak up on them outside but they seemed very aware of my presence and wouldn’t come back into view. Hopefully, I will find time to sit and wait for a better shot.

Australian Admiral Butterfly

October 20, 2020

This is a Yellow Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa itea). Also known as Australian Admiral Butterfly. South Eastern Australia. Apparently it really like stinging nettles and I have plenty of them, popping up in my garden and growing profusely between the paddocks of lucerne. It is not an uncommon butterfly.

Knowing nothing about butterflies, I was a little perplexed because I couldn’t see how this could be a ‘yellow’ admiral butterfly. I couldn’t see any yellow at all. They mystery was solved by a visit to the ‘net. What you see here is the underside of the wing. The butterfly looks totally different when its wings are down. Click here to see.

Isn’t nature wonderful?

Ball of fluff

October 12, 2020

A Grey Shrike Thrush

This young one is so cute. It was sitting outside my kitchen window, perched on the wisteria.

The birds are noted for their song. This one looks very different to its parents. It’s still so fluffy

Grey birds

September 13, 2020

Did you know some birds use their wings to make sound?

This is a crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes). It uses its feathers to communicate with other birds. They make noises when they fly, sometimes being called whistle-winged pigeons. The wings can make different notes, high notes signal danger. For more information click here.

Here’s another visitor. I need help identifying it.

It is a Noisy Miner. Eliza Waters, on the other side of the globe in Massachusetts, US, identified it from another Australian blogger’s site.

Pretty pest.

September 8, 2020

This Sulphur Crested Cockatoo was happily sitting among the blossoms in my tree. Don’t be deceived, cockatoos can be very destructive. They chew on the branches and in my large gum tree, they have denuded the ends of the branches and littered the ground with small pieces. They have even been known to vandalize houses. They gather together in large mobs and chew on timber, deckings and railings.

Luckily this one and his friend flew off when he noticed I was taking his photo. Camera shy!

Watch the birdie

September 6, 2020

playing around with black and white photography.

I’ve been reading about what makes a good black and white photograph. I’m finding it difficult to get my head around. But I’m happy with this.

I like it geometric feel. The bird was kind enough to pose at exactly the right angle. I like the different shades on the pipes and I love the flair of white on the beak and tail of the bird.

I could have rotated the photo to make the cross pipe exactly horizontal, but I like the slight angle leading the eye up to the bird.

In colour the same shot.

This guy couldn’t resist posing for me. He’s a very different character. I just love him.

I like him in black and white too.

Majestic Mallards

September 5, 2020

I spotted this duck perched high up in a tree branch. She was spying on a beautifully coloured male duck (Mallard). He was showing off, trying to impress her. Sadly, she flew off and left him all alone.

Ready

Set

Go

Landed and having a quiet swim.

All by himself.