This is a Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera) an endemic Australian species found over much of arid and semiarid northern and central Australia. There are at least four races / subspecies of this colourful bird.
These pictures were taken under less than idea conditions with a camera I would not nominate as a suitable one for wildlife photography! I used my little Olympus back-pack camera for these, and as the sun was shining very brightly on the LCD screen on the back I could not actually see what I was photographing! Spray and Pray indeed!
I consider it a minor miracle that I managed to get images that are even this good!
So, in another departure, here is an image of this species from the web. As
(Andreas Trepte, www.avi-fauna.info.)
As you can see its a remarkable bird, which I was very pleased to see for the first time in ages.
To join in with WBW click on the link below. SM
That is a beauty. And so proud of itself! So different from pigeons here!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteLove it, Stewart - very much 'of the moment' and so no less an image (or more) for that! YAM xx
Hello Stewart, :=) What a gorgeous bird,...it doesn't even look like a pigeon. I have never seen this bird before, but it makes a really good impression. Many thanks for sharing this remarkable looking pigeon.
ReplyDeleteAll the best.
Beautiful photos Stewart. A beautiful bird. Greetings Caroline
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here!
ReplyDeleteQuite an ornate pigeon. I carry a loupe which does come in handy to proof the LCD images when the sun is strong.
ReplyDeleteI had one of those days. Saw a large bird swoop down beside the road ahead of me. Slowed down and just as I stopped, it swooped back up, a huge hawk right in front of my car! It had a snake in it's beak! Of course, I was not ready to take a picture and even if I had been, there was glare on my windshield. Oh well, it was neat to see and I'm glad I stopped and didn't hit it with my car.
ReplyDeleteDespite the photos, you have a record of having seen it which is important. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteGratuluję spotkania. Rzeczywiście niezwykły ptak. Taki do namalowania ;-)
ReplyDelete