Wild Bird Wednesday 313 - Little Corella (Part 2) - In the Trees

I little while back our suburb was invaded by Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) - I posted some images of them feeding on the ground.

These images were taken during the same invasion - but this time the birds were in trees with autumn leaves, and for a good number of the shots, bathed in sunset light.

What's not to like.

As ever to join in with WBW just click the blue button below.  Cheers  SM

An InLinkz Link-up

Common Wombat

Being able to see Common Wombats (Vombatus ursinus) on a daily basis in one of the real pleasures of going to Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Although generally nocturnal, in the winter they can often been found out and about in the daylight.  I have been told that these animals are the largest hole dwelling herbivores in the world - and I have no reason to doubt this claim.  These rather solid animals grow to almost 1m long and weigh over 25 kg.  They are also surprisingly fast over short distances.  This species of Wombat is only found in the SE corner of Australia.  There are two other species of wombat in Australia - and in the near future I hope to see some of those as well!

The log climber rather took me by surprise, and I though he was going to head butt me at one stage, but he jumped off the other side of the log and went on his way.

Wombats are the only marsupial whose teeth grow through their life: this is an adaptation to the coarse grass that is important in their diets.  As you can see from the last few pictures, when in feeding mode it really is case of nose 'down and keep chewing' for these animals!

You can find more pictures from around the world at Our World Tuesday.  SM

PS: I think I may have fixed the email from blogger issue - thanks for the advice!

Wild Bird Wednesday 312 - Masked Lapwing

The Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) is a visible and often vocal part of the Australian landscape.  If they are anywhere in the area you are very likely to know about it, either through their calls or their tendency to swoop people, cats, dogs, horses and such like in the breeding season.

This bird - which was one of a (presumed) pair - was reasonably well behaved, until, shrieking, it jumped into flight.

These pictures were taken last week at Wilsons Promontory, a wonderful national park about 3 hours from Melbourne.

As ever to join in with WBW just click the blue button below.  Cheers  SM

{312 consecutive weeks is a long time! The last couple of weeks have not been that straight forward. At present the net access at home is flaky, Blogger has stopped sending email notifications and I have too much work!  All in all, it's been pretty difficult to visit blogs and generally reply to comments.  In the absence of cake, messages of encouragement would help - as would suggestions as to how to get bloggers linking into WBW again.  Cheers - SM}

An InLinkz Link-up

Wild Bird Wednesday 311 - Shy Albatross

Late last week I went out on a whale watching cruise around Phillip Island - which is about an hour and 40 minutes from Melbourne.  Its a popular holiday destination, but also has some good wildlife.

Most of the people on the cruise were very much concentrated on the whales, and I was one of the few that got excited when we encountered some albatross.

I'm pretty certain that all of these pictures are of Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta), but I am more than happy to stand corrected.  I just get happy seeing Albatross, the identification and taxonomy of which seems rather more challenging than for some birds.  Shy Albatross have a wingspan of over 2 meters and weigh in at just over 4kg.

I love the pictures why the huge skies - these are birds of the wide oceans and empty skies.  Its not always all about filling the frame.

As ever, to join in with WBW click on the blue button.    Cheers, SM.

An InLinkz Link-up

Watching the Whales

Late last week I took a whale watching tour around Phillip Island, Victoria. An early start - with a wonderful sunrise and rainbows - was in order, but all went well.  Strange how easy it is to get up when you dont have to go to work!

The whales - Humpback in this case - were reasonably obliging, although they did keep their distance a little.  We saw two groups of two and a possible singleton - although it may have been one of the others - during the tour.  Not a bad return for place that is about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Melbourne!

The whales were in travelling mode, so no breaching and such like, but it's still great to see them.

I'm about to have a really busy week - so it may take me a while to get to visit your blogs - sorry!  SM

Wild Bird Wednesday 310 - Pied Oystercatcher

This is another set of pictures of a pair of Pied Oystercatchers I found on the beach near Coles Bay in Tasmania.

The Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) is the most common of our two species of Oystercatchers in Australia - although at present there is a visitor from New Zealand in the area as well.

I really like the water and sand in the these pictures - and I reckon they sum up my pictures pretty well: less bird, but more environment than some.

As ever, to join in with WBW click on the blue button.    Cheers, SM.

An InLinkz Link-up