This Superb Fairywren was a special part of the first Birding/Bird Photography outing taken by experienced birder, Ken Harris, and myself.
Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) – male, moulting into eclipse plumage
1/1600, f5.6, ISO 1600
This little fairywren had been foraging through the understorey when he briefly hopped onto the lakeside pathway. He is such a little beauty and kindly lifted his sweet tail into the narrow depth of field which resulted in the entire bird being sharply focused, from the tip of his bill, to the ends of his toes and right to the tiny feathers at the tip of his tail.
He is currently moulting out of his bright blue breeding plumage into his eclipse, non-breeding, plumage. When this moult has completed he will look similar to a female Superb Fairywren except that his bill will stay black and he will lack the brown lores of the female. His tail will also retain significant blueness while the females’ tails are duller blue.
I shoot in manual and had been pointing the camera into the bushes. There was no time to alter my settings when he hopped onto the pathway and the image was quite over-exposed. Shooting in RAW creates large files but often enables an image to be rescued. The pathway is not blown (though it’s not far off) and it gives the image a high key feel which I think makes the fairywren stand out quite beautifully.
The Birding/Bird Photography group that Ken and I have started is run through Croydon U3A. Our first outing was to Lillydale Lake, we will be visiting various sites over the next few weeks. There are a lovely group of birders and photographers in the group; if you live locally and would like to join us give the U3A a call. Or contact me for more details.
Happy birding
Kim
PS the lirralirra exhibition has been extended until the end of February at The Chosen Bean, Mountain Gate, Ferntree Gully – new images now on display
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So I’ve always been captivated by these bright energetic birds but after researching to do a watercolour painting, I’m now totally fascinated. I’ve seen many over the years, but none so picture perfect as the place in Yarra Valley where I take my paintings to be captured digitally. Outside the studio is an old wine barrel, and when it rains the lid catches the water, and dozens of Superb Fairywrens (correct name noted :)) flit in and out around the rim, a bath in an instant and I watch entranced, forgetting why I’m even there, wishing I was a photographer.
Questions after diving down the google rabbit hole: Do all adult males moult every year? and a complete set of blue regrown (seems exhausting), What’s the life expectancy? and How old are they when they get their blue on? and How long do they remain blue / how long is the mating season?
I just love learning something new about our precious wildlife as it draws me into deeper appreciation. I understand if no one has time to answer my questions, I’ll keep digging, thanks in advance.
Now I’m wishing I was sitting beside you in the Yarra Valley, taking photographs while you paint! The fairywrens love to bath in shallow water. When they get older, maybe around five, the adult males can maintain their breeding colours all year. It does take a lot of energy. They can have more than one next a year but because they nest so close to the ground their nests can be lost to cats, it’s so upsetting. They have a remarkable social structure which you may have read about here before.
So sweet! I didn’t know they lost their bright blue plumage. I love the white surrroundings too as I think it highlights the wren beautifully. The U3A group are very lucky to have two such experienced and passionate leaders!
I love the way they look in their half way feathers like the little one in this image, so sweet 🙂
Just delightful. Thats the reason we all attempt photography – that magic sharp detailed image! Highlights this little miracle of creation! Thankyou!! Wish i could get to your show.
I do love get such detailed images, there’s no way we could see that kind of detail unless the bird was frightened in our hands or worse. I wish you could too Judy, let me know if you’re ever down this way.
I agree! Sensational photo and he looks so cute, like a little ball of feathers.
What a sweet description! Thanks Donna
I admire anyone using manual taking bird photo. I have some tremendous shots just using auto which I would have missed on manual. U3A are indeeed a fortnate group having you both. Enjoy.
I manually set the shutter speed, ISO and depth of field and rely on auto focus, and you’re right, I do miss some shots when the light changes rapidly. They’re a lovely group to wander with, I feel lucky too!
absolutely marvelous photo of a stunning creature! thank you!
Thank you Nicky 🙂