Red-winged Parrot

Red-winged Parrot

Female

Near Goombungee (Maybe a little south-west), Queensland, Australia

August 31, 2014

Here is a female Red-winged Parrot near Goombungee, Queensland. I think she is a little young too. The male is a richer green with bright scarlet windows on his wings.

I think she is still quite something to see in the wild. Don't you think so, too?

Red-winged Parrots are found over a wide area of north-eastern Australia. 

I took these pics on an outing with Rod Hobson last year. Thanks, Rod.

Red-necked Avocets

Red-necked Avocets with a Black-winged Stilt in the foreground

Helidon Spa, Queensland, Australia

Maybe earlier last year...or the year before...

Here's some pictures of the very beautiful Red-necked Avocets with a sprinkling of Black-winged Stilts in amongst them.

This was on a nice day out with Kev and Kay Williams and Michael Atzeni of the Toowoomba Bird Observers Club.

Hope you are all well. Long time, no see.

Double-eyed Fig-parrot (Marshalli)

Double-eyed Fig-parrot

Cyclopsitta diophthalma marshalli

Cape York, Queensland, Australia

October 17, 2012

This little guy is Australia's smallest parrot, a Double-eyed Fig-parrot. (I hope you can see the small figure of a bird in these pics- the face gives it away) Actually there are three races found down-along the east coast of Australia and this is marshalli found at Cape York. 

These photos were in the dark of the rainforest hence very high ISO and handheld. Quite high up but the resolution of my D800 helped me to get ok record shots. To be honest I could barely see the bird through my camera lens it was so high and dark.

Oh, Fudge!

Furruginous Duck

Sakata, Niigata, Japan

October 2014

This is a new duck for me. Taken early Autumn last year at Sakata, Niigata. I walked around reeds to have a look at a hidden pool and there it was. I surprised it and just got the above shot, then the below flight shot as it took off. Sad to chop off its wings but happy with it otherwise.

Apparently they are known to birders as "Fudge Ducks", hence my title.

....and it suits the regret about chopping of the wings.

A week later I photographed the ratty looking Eurasian Teal at Fukushimagata. (see below)

Eurasian Teal

Fukushimagata, Niigata, Japan

Trumpet Manucode

Trumpet Manucode
male

Cape York, Queensland, Australia

October 17, 2012

For Peter

This is my only photo of a Trumpet Manucode. The Trumpet Manucode is a secretive bird of rainforests in northern Cape York in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. It is so-called because of the bellowing call of the male.

As you can see they like to stay within the leaves and I struggled to get this poor shot. I took this on my tour with Kirrama Tours back in 2012. After I got this shot, I was fumbling around reviewing my attempts on the back LCD of my camera and apparently the bird came out and showed itself just for a second. All the team sighed and the leader Klaus scolded me for looking at my camera when I should have been watching the bird. Skilful at finding all birds, Klaus always ensured that each of our team managed good views before we moved on. I regret I am a novice much of the time.