lirralirra

We’re in the middle of another lockdown so I wandered into the garden with my camera; today’s image shows the kind of issue I often face as a wildlife photographer.

I usually share photographs where the bird isn’t virtually hidden but in reality that’s the way I usually see them!

This exquisite little spinebill sat and preened itself for a few moments while perched on the far side of a weeping apricot, about eight metres from where I was watching and waiting. The chances of being able to focus on it’s rapidly moving eye is tricky enough without having to contend with all those branches and the bird sometimes being completely hidden.

But, it’s lockdown. And there’s little else to entertain me apart from steam cleaning anything that doesn’t run away.

I was using a tripod and back button focussing, capturing this shot would have been impossible any other way (not that it’s a brilliant shot but it does tell a bit of a story).

I’ve been sharing some memories during this lockdown, images and anecdotes that were funny or interesting to share a little brightness for others, and myself. But someone wrote that I should be in lockdown. They clearly hadn’t been following what I was doing. I can’t believe how much it’s bothered me. To be accused of flouting lockdown, which I’d never do, while suffering being in lockdown. Sigh.

I’ll probably regret sharing that, I’m a ridiculously private person but you’re my lirralirra family and I hope you don’t mind.

Actually, before I sign off I’ll share one of the memories for those of you who aren’t on Facebook – I was near the weeping apricot then too.

I took this photograph last week, in my garden. A ray of sunlight fell on the Eastern Spinebill while the rest of the image was in distant shade. It reminded me of sitting under my fabric camouflage hide, in the same part of my garden, when a tradie was sent round the back to ask me a question. He was a big guy and he was confidently striding straight past me when I said ‘Hi’. He jumped and hollered, and tools flew everywhere. I guess my fabric hide works pretty well!

Happy birding from home, stay safe, Kim

~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group  Ethical Bird Photography