This series of photos arose, not because of any particular commune with nature, rather a visit with one of our daughters and her family to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary near the end of the year. The two grandkids loved the day, even if it tired them (and the parents) right out 😊. It is a reminder of the value of such refuges to show off a little of the variety of wildlife we have in our habitat ... needless to say perhaps, there were many non-bird species photographed on the day, but I include only one of those (I was still fascinated the zoom allows me to get so close from afar!) ... so let's start with that one ...
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| Crocodile sunbaking - deceptively still! |
Of course, many of the birds shown here are seldom seen locally. However, as you will see again in later posts, others are. So, the variety is good for appreciation. Enjoy!
First up there are a series of that were is a very large netted habitat and these are birds much more difficult to spot and capture clearly in nature. The first one with the nest is curious because the bird in the nest looks like a young one, but not like to other one in the picture.
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| Pied imperial pigeon |
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| From a broader angle |
This fellow is busily tending his bower so it was a treat to be passing by just when that was happening. Something to look forward one day in a more natural habitat ... wouldn't that add a spring to the step for the rest of a walk!
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| Bower bird housekeeping. |
These next two I have since come to appreciate are quite elusive in nature for very different reasons. Being able to offer such comments in a catch up blog is rather weird, but also part of the fun of writing one ... being able to convey a sense of the value of hindsight 😉.The emerald dove I have spotted in our yard a few times BUT it is very flighty & thus a challenge to get a good glimpse of, let alone a clear photo. The topknot pigeon inhabits very high forest branches and I have come to "feel" rather than spot ... you may read an extended version of this later from a sighting in Victoria Park. I heard (and felt) debris falling despite the morning walk being windless and this prompts a look to the canopy ... there ... way up there ... so this close-up view is a treat to be savoured.
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| Emerald dove |
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| Topknot pigeon |
I really felt good after capturing this next shot; little could I know that these delicate birds would provide one of my most satisfying days with my camera based on a following a whim after a slow drive several days earlier - patience and perseverance ...
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| Chestnut-breasted mannikins. |
This next group were in the area showing off birds of prey in flight and other exotic species. I think I have the names right but would not guarantee that ... seeing any of these in their natural habitat is always a treat for the power and grace they exude.
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| Eastern barn owl |
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| Barking owl |
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| Wedge-tailed eagle |
And a colourful exotic pair of macaws ...
The next group were found wandering around the grounds and tended to be more "free-range" though not entirely. Once again it is the variety that stands out not withstanding this is a sanctuary ... and also worth noting here even the variety there is in plain old "black and white" 😊.
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| Black-winged stilt |
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| Magpie goose |
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| Magpie geese pair |
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| Wandering whistling ducks (sedentary!) |
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| Baby brush turkey learning to forage. |
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| Mother pacific black duck and ducklings. |
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| Old man emu having a rest. |
And finally what is a visit to Currumbin without observing feeding time for the lorikeets. This last photo of the post is more about the birds positioning themselves in anticipation of feeding time and as it was almost Christmas seemed a very Australian vision of a Xmas tree ... you be the judge!
Until the next post ... and I realise that as Australia's most often sighted birds lorikeets will feature many time in future posts as they have provided many moments of joy and humour!
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