A Great Bird Photo site
I enjoy looking at photos of birds on the internet. It is a great way to learn about birds from all over the world, many of them species one cannot hope to see in the flesh in one lifetime. Of course, looking at photos can be time-consuming.
One such site is called the Green Backed Heron: bird photography and identification (sorry – that link no longer works). It is well worth a visit – but give yourself some time to look at all the wonderful photos.
When you come back you might like to visit my photo gallery here (sorry – my photo gallery has been removed). It contains not only photos of birds, but animals, native Australian flowers, scenery shots of Australia, Nepal and Thailand and much more.
Here is a sample photo: click on the image to enlarge.
Budgerigars, Cleland Wildlife Park
Updated 18th February 2017
New Hummingbird species discovered
The discovery of a new bird species is a reasonably rare event. The recent discovery of a new species of hummingbird in Columbia caused a ripple of excitement around the world of birders. And it is a real stunner of a bird, with iridescent blue and green plumage.
According to ornithologists, the Gorgeted Puffleg has been discovered living in the cloud forests of southwestern Colombia. Despite its recent discovery, this stunning rare hummingbird that has violet blue plumage and iridescent green on its throat, is already endangered by the environmentally damaging illegal drugs industry. (Quoted from Living the Scientific Life)
On this blog I often rave about the beauty of Australian birds. Yes, we really do have many wonderful and colourful bird species. We also have a great abundance of birds and many different species to enjoy. I am sure, however, that some of the hummingbird species would rival and even outdo some of our birds for sheer beauty. I have yet to enjoy the delights of seeing a hummingbird in real life; if the photos are any indication, they must be wonderful.
Links:
- Read the whole article and see the photos on Living the Scientific Life blog.
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets are a common Australian parrot. They are also one of our more colourful birds. How do they compare with some of the hummingbirds? Leave your comments in the section below.
To enlarge the image, click on the photo.
To enjoy more bird photos, go to my photo gallery here.
I and the Bird #49: The Wordchaser
I am constantly amazed and inspired by the creativity of those who volunteer to host carnivals. A carnival to which I frequently contribute is I and the Bird. The latest edition has just been posted over at Via Negativa. In Dave Bonta’s words:
Welcome to the 49th edition of I and the Bird, the carnival for bloggers who love birds. I’m calling this edition  with a nod to my fellow Pennsylvanian Rob Fergus  the Wordchaser. I’m less of a birder than a bird appreciator (for street cred, I can only point to my vice-presidency in the local Audubon chapter), but I chase down poems the way a life-lister chases birds.
Dave has taken some of the words of the contributors to this carnival and produced a poem. Plenty of interesting reading and photos in the links. It is worth a visit.
Links:
- I and the Bird #49 – the latest edition of the carnival.
- I and the Bird – homepage where you can find links to all the previous editions.
Cattle Egret, Adelaide Zoo
The above photo has nothing to do with this post. It’s just a lovely photo that I wanted to share with you. Click on the photo to enlarge the image. To see more of my bird photos go to my photo gallery here.
Whistling Kite at Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge
Whistling Kite
A few days ago we had a picnic lunch at Swanport Reserve. This reserve is about a ten minute drive from home. It is about five kilometres south of the CBD of Murray Bridge. This pleasant reserve is a favourite of many locals for ‘picnics, barbecues, fishing and it has become one of my favourite birding spots.
Whistling Kite
This is one very reliable place to see Whistling Kites, as shown in the photos on this page. Come to think of it, Whistling Kites are found all along the River Murray. They are also present throughout most of Australia in suitable habitat. Their preferred habitat seems to be near watercourses, lakes, estuaries, swamps and open forests. Its distinctive (and diagnostic?) whistling call is a common sound in rural areas of Australia. Here I must give a note of warning: Black Kites sometimes give a similar whistling call, albeit somewhat more muted and not as frequent nor as shrill.
Whistling Kite
I am still having some trouble taking photos of flying birds. The one above of a soaring Whistling Kite is not as sharp as I would like, but it is the best of a bad lot. Significant though is the diagnostic underwing patterns of the feathers, and so it is worth showing. One day I need to spend a few hours practising taking photos of moving birds. If any of my readers have hints on doing this, please leave a comment.
Click on the photo to enlarge the images.
Birds in the News #82 and #83
No Comments »16th May, 2007; Category: Birds in the News
I slipped up last week and didn’t get to link to Birds in the News #82. I was a tad busy and preoccupied with other things. So today we have a double treat. Lots of good reading and plenty of links to articles about birds in the news.
Links:
- Birds in the News #82
- Birds in the News #83
- Birds in the News – a list of links from my archives.