As I was working on last week’s post, sharing one of the most amazing shots I’ve ever taken, I mentioned that my favourite small bird had turned up at the birdbath – it is an exceedingly rare visitor here. I hoped that I’d get some shots through the window that were good enough to share… well, they’re not really good enough but I’m sharing them any way. It’s not good to be a perfectionist all the time!
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 6400, focal length 560mm, handheld
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
Outside of my window I have three birdbaths nestled beneath some trees. There is a deep bowl on a stand with a rock in the water to ensure that waterlogged birds can bathe safely. There’s a shallow bath on a pedestal (the favourite of most small birds) and a shallow bath on the ground (thank you my precious birdbath-making friend) which is preferred by the scrubwrens and often used by fairywrens, Red-browed Finches and Silvereyes when the other shallow bath is full.
As any bird-watcher worth their salt would do, I spend a lot of time checking out of the window to see what’s around. Or sometimes the activity catches my eye when honeyeaters land on the plants by the window, or like this week when the White-faced Heron landed there too. Last week I was absolutely stoked to glance outside at just the right time to see a flash of rufous so bright I knew immediately what it was.
1/400, f/5.6, ISO 6400, focal length 560mm, handheld
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
The Rufous Fantail darted around crazily quickly – I did the same to grab my camera! I would love to get a shot of this species in full sun, when my ISO didn’t need to be a ridiculous 6400 and my shutter speed could be more than a ridiculous 400-500th of a second with a long lens, handheld. But, this exquisite bird is recognisable despite being so poorly photographed.
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 6400, focal length 560mm, handheld
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM
It was calling loudly, you might be able to see that its bill is wide open in the third shot of this triptych. I feel so absolutely blessed that this sweet bird visited. It’s been a year when this little blessing is extra appreciated.
I’m thinking of you all and hoping you all have the merriest of merry Christmases, the happiest of holidays, and that your lives are filled with birdsong and blessings.
Happy birding, Kim
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