Wednesday, 28 December 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 231 - Rainbow Bee-eater

Seeing Bee-eaters at any time is a real treat, and when I was out and about around Darwin we saw them most days.  This species is the Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), and it is the only species of Bee-eater found in Australia.  This bird has a distinctive 'triangular' shape in flight, which makes it easy to identify when flying.

The bird in this post was hunting for insects on the edge of Yellow Water in Kakadu.  Watching this bird in wonderful evening light made it look even better than normal - although I am sure that the insects would disagree.  This bird was actively hunting and would return to one of two branches to eat what it had caught.  This Bee-eater was not being true to form by catching and eating a dragonfly.  The bird would smack the (large) insects it caught on the branch it was sitting a number of times before swallowing them.  As you can see, the head of this rather unfortunate dragonfly has become detached from its body before it is eaten!













Well, this is the last WBW for 2016 - so lets make an effort to make as big as possible!  Pass on the link, encourage friends and relative to visit and link up and lets see how it goes.  As ever, click the blue button to join in!  All Welcome.  Here's to 2017 and the possibility of hope!  SM
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24 comments:

  1. Connie Smiley28 December 2016 at 03:24

    Fantastic captures, Stewart! How often do you catch a dragonfly head in mid air? I always enjoy your writing as much as the photos.

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  2. Andrea @ From The Sol28 December 2016 at 03:37

    Well that was pleasant, head dangling and all ... I can hear my mother's voice saying, "Don't take such big bites!". The Bee Eater, however, is gorgeous and I would love to see their triangular flight form some day :) Just an FYI ... this is your last post in 2016. I know you are anxious to make it into 2017 with hopes that it will be a better year, but you aren't there yet :) Hoping you have a wonderful New Year and definitely looking forward to another year of your gorgeous pictures and witty commentary. Happy New Year to you and your Family, Stewart ...

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  3. NatureFootstep28 December 2016 at 04:03

    always a lovely sight to see the Rainbow Bee-eater. Gorgeous images.
    Wishing you a Happy New Year with lots of birding.

    Thanks for hosting.

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  4. Marcia28 December 2016 at 04:09

    Such a neat bird. I like how you captured it eating the dragon fly (?). And don't you mean the last posting for 2016 unless you've experienced 2017 ahead of us! LOL

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  5. Brian King28 December 2016 at 04:34

    How beautiful! I like the "mask" and the long, slender beak!

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  6. Sue (this n that)28 December 2016 at 04:56

    Hello Stewart, lovely to catch up with you again. Great series of shots of the Rainbow Bee-eater. I'm knocked out at its colours too! Hope you had a lovely Christmas. Cheers now :D)

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  7. Kenneth Cole Schneider28 December 2016 at 07:04

    Wonderful sequence and beautiful bird!

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  8. Author R. Mac Wheeler28 December 2016 at 07:26

    Really cool birds

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  9. Sharon Wagner28 December 2016 at 07:29

    I'd be afraid of that pointy beak if I was a bug. Great shots. Especially the one with the bug descending down the gullet!

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  10. Linda W.28 December 2016 at 08:14

    What a beautiful bird! And great photos of him catching and eating that bug.

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  11. Fun6028 December 2016 at 09:28

    What a terrific series of photos. All the best for 2017

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  12. This N That28 December 2016 at 10:43

    Pretty bird..Great shots..Does he really eat Bees?? Probably a stupid question ??

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  13. Mostly.Nature28 December 2016 at 13:04

    Excellent shots you got there with it eating the dragonfly. 👍

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  14. diane b28 December 2016 at 16:42

    An amazing series of shots. It is a beautiful bird.

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  15. Lea28 December 2016 at 23:40

    Beautiful!

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  16. photodoug29 December 2016 at 00:40

    Stewart, great action capture. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year 2017.

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  17. Tony McGurk29 December 2016 at 04:59

    Excellent shots Stewart. It's amazing he could swallow something that size without teeth to chew it with.

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  18. Anonymous29 December 2016 at 09:25

    Stewart, what a beautifully vibrant looking bird!! It's colors are just beautiful...and its ability to devour that enormous bug is pretty amazing too!...:)JP

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  19. eileeninmd29 December 2016 at 23:57

    Hello, what a beautiful bird! Awesome series of photos. Enjoy your day and the weekend ahead. I wish you all the best in 2017, Happy New year!

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  20. Sallie (FullTime-Life)30 December 2016 at 12:04

    Those are the most amazing birds -- that blue stripe is like a little gift of an accent color. Just wonderful. And boy is it enjoying that delicious dragon fly! Wonderful pictures.

    Happy New Year to all of you.

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  21. CountryMouse30 December 2016 at 23:23

    Awesome shots! I love seeing these fellows around, although I haven't been out much to see them.

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  22. Phil Slade3 January 2017 at 07:45

    Hi Stewart. Hope you had a fine Christmas and a Happy New Year. Those pictures are pretty special this week. What a fabulous family of birds are the bee eaters.

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  23. Anu3 January 2017 at 18:03

    Fantastic photos!
    Happy New Year to you, Stewart!

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  24. Bob Bushell4 January 2017 at 22:40

    Wow, what a blinder, the Bee-eater is a precious, well done Stewart.

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