Red Capped Robin
At last I have a photo gallery for your enjoyment. From time to time I will add photos to this blog of birds I photograph and places I visit. The above photo of the male Red Capped Robin was taken at the Pangarinda Arboretum at Wellington, South Australia a few weeks ago.
Related article:
To view my photo gallery click here and come back often to view new photos as they are added over the coming weeks.
As I was working on my computer a little while ago I thought I heard a Grey Fantail outside in the garden. This species is common and widespread throughout our district here in the Murraylands area of South Australia. Despite that, it is only an occasional visitor to our garden. This is a shame, because it happens to be one of my favourite birds. The Rufous Fantail is just up the list a little, but is only a vagrant in South Australia.
Adelaide Rosella
I didn’t find any fantail but I did manage to get good views of several unexpected birds. The Adelaide Rosella (a sub-species of the Crimson Rosella) is an occasional visitor to our garden. This is about as far east as this species occurs. Just a few minutes ago I saw about 6 near the house. As I approached they flew off. I went inside to get the camera but they had gone when I returned outside.
Whistling Kite
I also heard and then saw two Whistling Kites gliding overhead. Again, they are common and widespread in this area, especially along the river and its environs. From time to time they stray this far from the river. For about three or four minutes I watched as they soared on high, dipping and slipping on the air in a wonderful display of synchronised flying. They were too high to get a photo.
Mammal Sightings
To complete the good sightings I disturbed one of our resident Brown Hares. Over recent years we have had two or three of these lovely creatures frequent our five acre block we call our garden. When they nip off the tops of young plants we don’t like them quite as much. I’ve also see quite a few rabbit scratchings in a number of places. This species is less desirable as they can do much damage. The hare was too quick for me to get a photo.
The keepers at the Calgary Zoo have a pair of Osprey nesting on a platform on a pole in the grounds of the zoo. This is the 13th time the Ospreys have successfully nested there. The keepers have recently installed a live web cam so that we can watch the rearing of their young. From what I can gather two of the three egs have already hatched.
To view the action click here – but remember to take into account time zone differences!
To look at the Calgary Zoo Web page click here
Last night we were invited to dinner at our friends’ home. They had a lovely outdoor fire going and we sat around eating and talking until quite late. On our way home we saw a Barn Owl fly off from the side of the road.
Now this in itself is not all that notable, because this species is widespread throughout many parts of rural Australia. What is notable, however, is the fact that I have not recorded this species near or at home for several years, despite being widespread and relatively common.
It was a lovely finish to a special evening.
While out in the garden today I was suddenly aware of a noisy scuffle nearby. They were at it again. The interloper New Holland Honeyeater trying to snatch insects from the resident Willie Wagtail’s favourite patch. This time they actually came to blows!
After a few seconds of screaming at each other, many ruffled feathers and a clash of claws they both retreated to nearby trees. After that there was an uneasy peace. The battle may be over but I feel that the war has just begun.
For details of the previous battle click here.
Willie Wagtail