With temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius the birdbaths have been visited by many bathing beauties, including this juvenile Crimson Rosella.
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 2500, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
How cute it is with its juvenile and adult feathers mixed together and looking like a rumpled quilt. The green and greyish-looking feathers will gradually be replaced with crimson during its first fifteen months. It will keep its bright blue cheek patch, dark eye and light bill.
When I’m photographing birds at or near the birdbaths I wait for them to drink or bathe before pressing the shutter button. I would hate to scare them away before they’d had a chance to rehydrate and cool down. It means I miss the chance to photograph birds that are in a hurry but that’s better than disturbing them. The most disappointing species to have missed photographing were a Scarlett Honeyeater and a Rufous Fantail, hopefully they’ll come back one day. That’s where my ‘heart photos’ come into play, those times when I didn’t press the shutter button, sometimes I’m so mesmerised by the beauty of what I’m seeing that I totally forget I’m holding a camera. One good thing about heart photos is that they’re always perfectly focussed.
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 2500, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
Crimson Rosellas feed on various seeds, occasional insects, some blossoms and every day a small group of these beautiful rosellas busily eat my delicious apricots to save me the trouble! I think it’s time race outside and see if I can find a couple of ripe ones that are hopefully free from beak marks.
Happy birding, Kim
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What a thoughtful approach Kim to photgraphing birds at a birdbath. I don’t have one yet but when i do i will remember your tip!
Oh I hope you get one soon Fiona, they are brilliant for us and the birds.
Great philosophy Kim, and pretty teenager. Wishing you good health and happiness in 2022.
Warm regards Alison
Thanks so much Alison, and wishing you good health and happiness too, and heaps of birdsong, Kim
I do love the juveniles, scruffy as they appear. That mixed colouring is surprisingly good camouflage isn’t it?
Stay well, stay safe and enjoy an apricot or two IF you can find one.
They do look scruffy don’t they, and so does the baby robin I’ve just photographed and plan to share soon. Amazing camouflage, reminds me of the post I did ages ago about ‘Colourful Camouflage’, it could be time for a new one on the topic. Oh, I got distracted with sticks that blew down in the wind! Maybe it will have to be a midnight apricot.
Best wishes for 2022 Kim. Many thanks for your photos, beautiful as always. Valda
My pleasure Valda, and thank you for sharing your beautiful artwork, Kim