Tag: bird watching

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, also known as the Yellow 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. He was showing off, trying to impress her. Sadly, she flew off and left him all alone.

I thought these were mallard. But since I posted this I learnt that mallards are more likely to have orange feet. I think they are Australian Shelducks.

Ready

Set

Go

Landed and having a quiet swim.

All by himself.