Wild Bird Wednesday 321 - Crimson Rosellas (in the rain)

The Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans) is, to say the least, showy.   It shows a range of colours over its range, but the ones in my part of the world fall into the Crimson Type! Elsewhere they run to yellow and orange.

As you can see from these pictures these birds were feeding on the ground in the rain. I rather like the way the raindrops have beaded on the feathers.  The light was pretty dull for these pictures, but I do like them.

These pictures were taken at Wilsons Promontory National Park - which is very close to being my favourite place.  I'm going there (again) this weekend!

As ever, to join in with WBW just click on the link below (and this week I will remember to put it there!)  Cheers - SM

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Wild Bird Wednesday 320 - Blue-Billed Duck

I managed to get back to Jells Park for a couple of hours this weekend - which was a bit of a relief from the office I have to tell you!

I was really pleased to find the Blue-billed Ducks (Oxyura australis) much closer to one of the viewing platforms than in my other recent visits.  This duck is native to Australia, but is closely related to other around the world.  If you are reading this in the UK, the BBD is closely related to the Ruddy Duck - which has been subject to a effort to remove it from the UK as a breeding species.

It's not hard to see how these duck got their name! Although I have to say that I rather like the females as well!

As ever, to join in with WBW just click on the blue button below: no invitation is need, just join in!  SM

PS: it's been an interesting week to say the least!  Will catch up with comments and such like asap.  Its hard to believe I stared doing WBW on Wednesday, 16 July 2012! 

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Wild Bird Wednesday 319 - Freckled Duck

These are some more shots from Jells Park.  While I was scanning about with my bins, I noticed these ducks tucked up underneath an island.

The head shape is pretty distinctive, with a high crown. These are Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa).  This is Australia's rarest duck. The population is estimated to number 11,000-26,000 individuals. By loafing about at the base of an island it is doing exactly what the guide books say it does.

These images are rather more cropped than normal, but I like the tones and textures, and the rather 'secretive' nature of the images.  They look much better larger - so click on them so see this.

To join in with WBW just click on the blue button below.  SM

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Wild Bird Wednesday 318 - Australasian Darter

I spent a few hours the weekend at a lake called Jells Park - it was great to be able to just sit in the hide and see what came along.  As you may guess its been busy!

This is an Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae).  As you can see this bird is doing the classic 'feather drying' pose - although this behaviour may also be to do with temperature regulation as well.

The duck in the foreground of two of the shots is a Pink-eared Duck.

I hope to catch up with comments soon!

To link up with WBW just click the blue button below.  SM 

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Norman Point Skies

You may have noticed that I rather like Wilsons Promontory National Park.  These are some sky shots taken from Norman Point - which is about an hours (slow) walk from Tidal River.

You can find more skies from around the world at Sky Watch Friday.  SM

Wild Bird Wednesday 317 - Helmeted Friarbird

This is a rather older picture than usual - it was taken a couple of years ago in Kakadu National Park, near the Nourlangie area.

This bird is a young Helmeted Friar Bird (Philemon buceroides). On the other hand it may be a Silver Headed Friarbird (although I dont think so)  - anybody who can identify with more certainty than me is welcome to comment!

Any this bird is about 30 to 35 cm long, and is only found in the northern parts of Australia.  When I Was taking these shots I remember thinking that the light was really not that great - too muck back light and such like.

To join in with WBW click on the blue button below the thumbnails.  Cheers - SM

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