Tuesday 9 March 2021

Wild BIrd Wednesday 450 - Red-tailed Tropic Bird

For week 450 of WBW I give you one of the more amazing birds I have seen - the Red-tailed Tropic Bird (Phaethon rubricaudra).

These pictures were taken on one of the more amazing places I have ever been - Lord Howe Island, which is off the coast of New South Wales, on the East coast of Australia.

The island has just been through a major rodent removal scheme which seems to have been a great success.  So a place that was already amazing may now be more so.   When (if?) things even get back to the way they were pre-covid I will be very keen to go back there.

So, here are some amazing birds from an amazing place.

 




 
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Cheers SM (450!)


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24 comments:

  1. Great shots, Stewart. They are incredibly graceful, elegant birds.

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  2. Gorgeous photos! I love the second one looking down on the water! Nice flight shots!

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  3. That first shot is gorgeous! I look forward to your next visit to the island.

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  4. Hari OM
    Thank goodness we have photo archives to keep us 'travelling', eh Stewart?! OZ is doing so well, compared to up this side. Travel doesn't even figure in thoughts here yet. YAM xx

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  5. Hi Stewart, beautiful photos of the red-tailed tropic bird. I wish I could see it. Greetings Caroline

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  6. I think I follow you on instagram @carolinesnatuurfotografie

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  7. I saw those in Hawaii and they are gorgeous birds. The whites are just so lush.

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  8. Great flight shots of this fabulous bird Stewart. Thanks for hosting, stay safe adn have a lovely week ahead

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  10. Beautiful images of that fascinating bird.

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  11. No gulls in Hawaii that I know of. This shot was taken in San Francisco. I enjoy your free sea bird soaring!

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  12. The sky shots are so pretty over the blue water. I just saw the prettiest turquiose exspanse on our drive to and from Key West, Florida. And plenty of birds too.

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  13. Amazing flight shots with nice backgrounds!

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  14. What great shots. Love that tail and the blue water. Here's to everything getting back to the way they were pre-Covid.

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  15. Stewart, Stewart, Stewart...your photos of these birds in flight are beyond AMAZING!!! I am so excited to say that my 2nd vaccine is coming up soon...WOOT! WOOT or is it WOOP! WOOP!????...jp

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  16. Lovely bird! I like the background colors too.

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  17. Beautiful captures of flight, Stewart. Now then, I'm curious about how they went about that rodent removal.

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    Replies
    1. There was a huge problem with introduced rats and mice. One of the birds on the island - the Wood Hen - is flightless and was heavily predated by the rats. Also the rats and mice were eating most of the seeds produced by the plants - so limited food for birds, and very few new plants. Some of the rare birds on the island were trapped and kept in a safe place while a huge baiting and trapping scheme was undertaken. Once that had been completed the birds were returned. The whole thing (at present) seems to have been a success. SM

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  18. Beautiful shots..They look like big sea gulls..Great "in flight " shots..Hope you are having a good week..

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  19. Beautiful photos, sorry I need to get out with the camera I am getting far behind!! Keep well Diane

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  20. Hello Stewart
    the flight photos are great, I always try to do it, but it doesn't work that way for me .. ;-))
    Greetings Frank

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  21. Exceptional bird, Exceptional images. Love this Stewart, great post

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  22. Great shots in flight of this beautiful bird... Congrats Stewart

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