Illawong delights (Nov)

I picked up our UK friends at his sister's place in Illawong on the south-side of Sydney. Great clifftop location, looking north across the Georges River with plenty of native bushland around as well. I had a couple of days there before we headed up here so we could catch up with some old school buddies and rugby friends. During the stay it was a delight to savour the local bird attractions that frequent the location and even home 😁.

First up I was lucky enough to photgraph this female king parrot having a scratch while perched on the pool fence. Waiting patiently for feeding time I was told. This was the backyard. Just gorgeous pastel shades on this bird.

Meanwhile, out on the front lawn there was a diverse gathering awaiting feeding time ... laughing kookaburras on the ground (always a powerful picture fully front-on staring down the lens showing off that beak), above in the jacaranda tree keeping a close eye out and showing off the blue splashes on their wings and stripy tails. Not to be outdone, a young grey butcherbird lining up and a surly looking pied currawong protecting its patch of lawn ...

Later on, this pair of laughing kookaburras made a handsome couple in the gum tree over the road ... one slim and trim, the other looking more well-fed, plump and a little puffed up.

Late the second afternoon, I was blessed with a visit from the male and female king parrot - what an extremely gorgeous couple they made 😍. The magnificent plummage offer ample evidence in support of the "king" part of their name, for sure in this light. I can't help myself ... so, here goes ... the male checking the pool and roof to see what maintenance might be required 😉 and the female, as befitting such a beauty, is waiting to smell the roses 😘. The final photo of the set was included to demonstrate how they look even better in a natural setting (if not quite as accessible). What a delight!

Early one morning this sulphur-crested cockatoo was making itself heard on the bare branch right at the top of a big gum out the back. Even with the heavy cloudy sky this noisy member of the neighborhood was a sight to behold. As well as the steady portrait, I managed to take one while it was preening and the third one in this set, just as it was preparing to take flight. The latter two offer good views of the subtle pastel yellow underfeathers of the wings.

On our final morning I managed these two very natural environmental portraits. First, a sulphur-crested cockatoo emerging from a tree hollow. This is a real treat to see, especially in such an urban environment. Second, and with a very much brighter palette to offer (but no more striking or quiet!) a pair of rainbow lorikeets skulking in the foliage of a banksia.

A neighborhood to be proud of! 

Long may it be preserved for others to enjoy as well.