Things with Wings

[wombat666]

Silver Gulls, just hovering around as usual.
Hastings Marina, Westernport Bay.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1208x748q90/r/923/IPtgjf.jpg

Westernport is made up of miles of mud flats intersected by a number deep channels.
This particular Pelican apparently decided to investigate further out on the flats as there was not much happening at his part of the Marina.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1208x748q90/r/924/Km8cE3.jpg


Meanwhile, back on the Farm.......we had only finished cutting and wrapping hay a couple of days previous and I found a flock of immature Straw-Necked Ibis foraging for whatever they forage for.
Luckily I caught a few images of them flying from various locations.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1129x748q90/r/923/zGqVyl.jpg

Must get that Panoramic lens sooner rather than later!

[boxcar]

Things with wings good. Nice photos, wombat.




.

[jmig]

Nice pictures. The last one reminds me of Ibises. We have several different species of them around here.

[wombat666]

Nice pictures. The last one reminds me of Ibises. We have several different species of them around here.

They are indeed immature Ibis, the adults are considerably lighter and have straw like feathers covering their necks.
Very attractive birds.

I'm studying as many books as I can find re the wildlife in and around Southern Australia John.
Fortunately we live right on the southern coast surrounded by National Parks.
I need the exercise and photography has given me a reason for walking around 10K a day, much to my partner's delight.
My next foray to 'my' Photographic Supplies' retailer will temper that, I need a couple of new lens (primes of course) and maybe (just maybe!) a new body.............................:biggrin-new:

[jmig]

They are indeed immature Ibis, the adults are considerably lighter and have straw like feathers covering their necks.
Very attractive birds.

I'm studying as many books as I can find re the wildlife in and around Southern Australia John.
Fortunately we live right on the southern coast surrounded by National Parks.
I need the exercise and photography has given me a reason for walking around 10K a day, much to my partner's delight.
My next foray in 'my' Photographic Supplies' retailer will temper that, I need a couple of new lens (primes of course) and maybe (just maybe!) a new body.............................:biggrin-new::jump: You are talking to a man who's photography equipment is worth more than he is. And, people think flight simulation expensive. I am a amateur nature photographer. Living in south Louisiana I have ample opportunity for bird photographer. In fact bird season is about to crank up starting in late February and going through May.

[Ferry_vO]

Both flightsimming and photography can be quite expensive hobbies... :mixed-smiley-010:

Here's a rather unusual visitor in my new backyard:

https://i.imgur.com/Sd1v0G7.jpg

[wombat666]

Ferry,
Is that one of those 'Migratory' Parrots ('African Greens' or similar I think) that has taken up residence in Europe?
I recall a fairly recent documentary about odd residents in some of the large cities, I think Berlin might have found itself hosting several colonies of exotic birds that were not moving on.
They were apparently Parrots and (IIRC) had found appealing housing in the city in question.
But I can't remember the doco.
:banghead:
PS: Nice shot, I do like the framing.
:glee:

[Ferry_vO]

It's a Psittacula krameri or Rose-ringed parakeet (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose-ringed_parakeet) and they have settled here in large cities like Amsterdam and The Hague, although they are now also spreading trough the rest of the country (As I am at least 50 kilometers from both cities.) Seems they can survive pretty well in our colder climate, using things like old rabbit holes to get trough the winter.

[jmig]

That is interesting that those birds can life in an area and habitat so different from their natural habitat. I have always been fascinated the tenacity of life. As I travel to take photographs, I run across this all the time. Animals surviving in areas you would think they couldn't and trees growing sideways out of sheer rock cliff faces.

[Ferry_vO]

Even though it is winter here, there's a group of pink flamingos that comes to our west coast every winter apparently. For some reason they like to stay in a large sea water lake, even though it is no where near tropical temperatures this time of year.

[jmig]

The Cattle Egret is normally a Plain Jane bird, white with a truff of brown on its back. However during mating season it becomes a beautifully colorful bird.

[Ferry_vO]

Caught a duck bathing:

https://i.imgur.com/05or2GQ.jpg

[jmig]

Looks like he is enjoying himself. Is that a Muscovy?

[wombat666]

Much to our surprise we seem to have inherited a Gaggle of Geese!
They have taken up residence on our shared dam, none of our neighbors own them and they are a little wary so I'm keeping my distance, but if they stay I don't mind at all.
Best 'Watch Dogs' around.
The Beagles are very cautious of them as well!
:biggrin-new:

Not sure what breed of duck is in Ferry's shot but it's a Drake!
I always thought a Muscovy was white but there's always an exception.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1063x744q90/r/924/EvwS8B.jpg

[jmig]

The Blue Crane looks a little like what we call a Yellow Crown Heron.

The Muscovy can be all sorts of colors. I think thee are many varieties. They all have that same ugly head and beak, however. :biggrin-new:

[Ferry_vO]

It is a Muscovy Duck indeed. A non-indigenous species that does thrive in this enviroment.

Other
non-indigenous birds that we saw yesterday are these
Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) :


https://i.imgur.com/tKbKs1G.jpg

These Canada Geese:

https://i.imgur.com/swTfF61.jpg

This Greylag Goose (Anser Anser) is a native bird:

https://i.imgur.com/u4IGMH7.jpg

[wombat666]

I sorted out the Blue Crane misnomer (only taken 50 years!) by consulting one of my field guides!
The White Faced Heron erroneously named Blue Crane ranges over 90% of Australia, is a mostly Winter visitor to the Top End, also Indonesia, PNG and Pacific Islands.
It seems that because 'Blue Crane' is not the right name it doesn't appear in the index of most publications on Australian birds.
:dizzy:

This might put the location of 'our' Geese into perspective, the water supply we share has a small island created when the original owners dammed the creek that runs at the bottom of our property.
Of course, this is a shared resource to water our neighbors cattle and is a useful backup in case we get a grass or bush fire at any time, and I expect it will very shortly become a safe haven for ducks, as the Victorian Duck Season opens in a couple of weeks.
No Duck hunting allowed in our part of the State.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1123x744q90/r/923/WEM3ia.jpg

[lefty]

Always thought the only ducks allowed in Victoria were English ones at the MCG.........:jump:

[wombat666]

Always thought the only ducks allowed in Victoria were English ones at the MCG.........:jump:

'The Barmy Army'...................often referred to as 'Wooducks'.......:biggrin-new:

[jmig]

The local rookeries are full of birds mating, egging, and mothering.

[Ferry_vO]

Spotted a few locals:

https://i.imgur.com/ibCMPII.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3nsOxg1.jpg

And others at the zoo this week:

https://i.imgur.com/OkPEaiZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ANXR700.jpg

[jmig]

Nice photos!

[wombat666]

I have been caught up in 'other' RL business but have managed a few free days to get out.
Being Winter here there is not too many good days but I've managed a couple of reasonable shots.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1312x787q90/r/921/MABjyK.jpg
A young female Eastern Wren, she pranced and danced around until I almost caught her stationary.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1211x787q90/r/923/pumubs.jpg
A male Crimson Rosella, almost mature, just a few traces of green left. I could have snapped better images if the 'tourists' had stayed away!
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1585x1057q90/r/923/G9vQ35.jpg
Even approaching the Winter Solstice (June 22nd) these Galahs are always around. I'd be happier if they came down to the lower branches.

[Ferry_vO]

Posing for the camera:

https://i.imgur.com/IFiZsfG.jpg

[Ferry_vO]

Not my best photo, but the first time I encountered a Kingfisher in the wild!

https://i.imgur.com/XEaaAoW.jpg

[jmig]

Your Kingfishers are more colorful than ours. Here is one of our Kingfishers.

[wombat666]

Our Kingfishers are notoriously shy in the southern states and only two types live here, the other dozen or so are sub tropical or tropical dwellers.
The only ones that I see around are the 'Laughing Kookaburra', quite sociable once one earns their trust.
I have found the same pairs raising their families in the same area since we moved down here.
And there's nothing quite like waking up to the sound of several Kookaburras 'laughing' at Sunrise.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/700x600q90/r/921/lsQRXO.jpg

We are off to Kakadu National Park, 171 km southeast of Darwin in the Northern Territory, 'soon' as time permits.
Most Kingfishers can be found in the park, along with some 75% of Australian native birdlife.
Good excuse for a new lens or three!

[Ferry_vO]

Nice photos!

We have some Kookaburras in zoos here, but I never saw a Kingfisher in the wild here. I was lucky to be walking around with my equipment when I heard a splash and saw something shooting out of the water and into the trees.
Got about a minute to take a few shots before it flew away.

[Ferry_vO]

Some other shots from that same early morning:

https://i.imgur.com/DGKsU02.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/998oWAm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rEKKVFv.jpg

[wombat666]

Decided to check out the wetlands and they are filling up nicely.
Just on a whim I turned right instead of left and found the Browns Road wetlands full of waterbirds!
Time wasn't on my side (around 17:30 EST!) but I managed to get several reasonable shots of a backyard wetland!
Black Swans, Pacific Black Ducks, Chestnut Teal, Waterhen and a large number of Strawneck Ibis, far more than in this image.
I took the time to introduce myself to the farmer and I now have permission to let myself in and get in among reeds, mud and water when I wan't to do so................:triumphant:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1168x787q90/r/923/LHoTMc.jpg
I quite like the typical farming junk in the background, ads atmosphere IMHO.

[jmig]

After seven attempts I finally managed to see and photograph the extremely rare and endangered Whooping Cranes. There are only about 600 Whooping Cranes worldwide, and 60 in Louisiana. The Whooping Crane is the largest bird in North America. An adult will stand about 5 feet tall with a wingspan of about 7.5 feet.

I feel extremely fortunate to have had an opportunity to photograph these beautiful birds.

[wombat666]

Our resident Rainbow Lorikeets have started to become very friendly, especially as we've made structural improvements to make them comfortable!

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1211x787q90/r/924/lpX7NO.jpg

They do need potty training but! :biggrin-new:

[Ferry_vO]

Those are pretty popular in zoos here, you can usually enter the cage, feed them and get some bird guano all over you in you are unlucky!:

https://i.imgur.com/v9QqaO1.jpg

One of my favorite birds, the mighty Steller's Sea Eagle. Makes the American Bald Eagle look like a parakeet.

https://i.imgur.com/3koLag8.jpg

[jmig]

I really like the eagle head shot.

[Ferry_vO]

These have wings as well...:

https://i.imgur.com/6rLZWvu.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QipHJAJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vtn0yEW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3dUohWl.jpg