These are some shots of our semi-resident Red Wattlebirds (Anthochaera carunculata) feeding on the flowers of a large Echium bush. These birds are common and conspicuous in SE Australia, as they are often noisy and very active.
The red wattles that give it its name can be seen on its face in most of these pictures - the yellow underbelly seems to have been overlooked!
These birds did not seem to mind me sitting in the garden with lens, camera and tripod. I have to say it was one of the best half hours of time I have had since we went into lock down.
(Thankfully our Covid 19 numbers here are now very low, so a more normal life may be just around the corner. I cannot wait, as I am just about at the end of my tether!)
All these pictures will look better if you click on them to see a larger version.
Stay safe and well, and dont forget to join in with WBW by clicking the link below. SM
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteOne of the joys of the Aussie garden is the variety of birds available without having to transport all the equipment!
Lockdown is starting to return here, as folk just haven't been able to behave and anyway as soon as work and schools get together all distancing disappears...sigh... we've a way to go yet. YAM xx
Quite an attractive bird, you do really have some interesting birds in Australia.
ReplyDeleteWe have pretty much kept ourselves in lockdown since March, age and health considered it is not worth asking for trouble. France has its problems, but we are not in the red areas, It is though around and not too far away.
Keep safe Diane
Such an interesting face. A beauty!
ReplyDeleteI hope restrictions aren’t lifted for your area soon!
I don't think I have ever seen a bird with Wattles..Good colors in these pics..I'm glad your virus problem is going in the right direction..I don't think ours ever will..It's coming back worse than ever..We would not be in this mess if we had leaders that set good examples and people who would listen to the scientists..That's a lot of ifs...big ones..Stay well..
ReplyDeleteNice assortment of sharp views! Quite an unusual bird (oh there I said it again-- of course I don't live in Australia!). The wattle almost looks as if descended from a rudimentary gill cleft.
ReplyDeleteSteady, Stewart! Great post
ReplyDeleteYes I have seen a Wattlebird when my daughter lived in Sydney but always found it hard to see the colour of the wattle. Theses are great shots not only of the bird but the beautiful flowers Stewart. Thanks for h;osting, stay safe and have a great week ahead
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteSuperb photographs of bird and flowers! How considerate of the Wattlebird to allow you a photo session. My yard birds are trained to disappear as soon as they hear the click of the back door opening.
ReplyDeleteWe are all hoping your situation improves soon so you can at least get out for some fresh air!
Hello Stewart
ReplyDeleteVery nice pictures of an even more beautiful bird, very well done I like it very much
Greetings Frank
Gosh those are gorgeous photos of the flower with the bird. That's a cool species. The 2nd and third to last are stunning!
ReplyDeleteHow nice of the pretty bird to pose with colorful flowers!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you still blogging Stewart. This is John from the old Sinbad and I on the Loose blog. New cat, new title. Stay well.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of the Eurasian jay in its attitude...
ReplyDelete