March munchies (2018)!

This post offers a feast of magnificent colour and the rewards when the bounty is plentiful. Largely based in our own backyard, but also the yard of my parents, the wonder of nature (weeds and all) is in full evidence here ... what our natural environment offers even when we believe it is detrimental (to us) should never be underestimated. And I finish with a treat from the other end of the spectrum.

The first two are a blue-faced honeyeater savouring the delicate and nectar rich flowers of the umbrella trees in our yard. Yes ... they are weeds! And from a distance the "flowers" look more like berries, most especially when the stems fall to the ground and the pods appear like large black pepper berries. However, given the power of the right light and perspective, the glisten of the nectar when the flowers open is joy to behold, and offer an autumn feast from the nectar gods 😜.

Never to be outdone and noisy protectors of their own feasting table we see the rainbow lorikeet in the same tree ... what a racket when these two birds decide to compete for their supper!

Staying with the ubiquitous rainbow lorikeet, the next several photos show off both the magnificent colours nature has to offer via a red-flowering gum, and the light accentuates the "rainbow" of the lorikeet plumage very definately.

How proud I am at the head of my "table"

Tucking right in!

A moment to bask & savour

The next smorgasboard awaits!

I have included this one because a close inspection shows the glistening small beads of nectar from the gorging in and among the flowers on both the bill and shoulder feathers (remember if you click on an image you can see a bigger version of each photo to scroll through). And it was a real treat to be able to obtain a study so close as their focus was clearly mostly on their bounty!

And next, three shots showing the smorgasboard underway and then the sharing that followed ... first an exploratory peek and approach, then more intimacy at the table 😲. This was just such a treat to see the wonderful palette provided by nature ... a close inspection may even reveal some iridescent blue (NOT blow!) flys too. And let's remember this was our autumn blooms!

Now, not quite yard shots, but one again to highlight how the striking features of this egret are complemented by its grassy and weedy surroundings that provide the insects it so enjoys.

And finally for March, that treat from the other end of the spectrum I promised.  While all the above photos highlight what nature had to offer, this barking owl was at the airport being used for a Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary promotion ... so totally NOT natural and very much in captivity in our built environment (but at least not in a cage). What you wouldn't give to know what is whirring behind those doleful but oh so sharp big round yellow eyes 😏😏.