Blossoms, a bee swarm and snails are all part of this week’s images – it was a slow bird week. I spent heaps of time outside, saw some beautiful birds including Scarlet Honeyeaters, Satin Flycatcher, Sacred Kingfisher and Brolga but took some very ordinary images. So, a different collection of images this week with a visit from a bemused pair of spectators at the end.
Callistemon Dawson River
Red Wattlebirds, New Holland Honeyeaters and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters hassled each other for the rights to the nectar. There was plenty for them to share but instead they wasted energy chasing each other away from the blossoms.
Bee swarm
Next came the swarm of bees, settling on a sapling while they contemplated their new premises. As new bees joined the swarm they ‘danced’ the way they do when giving directions to nectar. It was fascinating to see the swarm moving and watch the bees’ wings catch the light. Honey bees are not native to Australia and cause issues for mammals and birds that use hollows for nesting. They also colonise nesting boxes but this can be stopped by attaching carpet to the ‘ceiling’ of the box effectively preventing the bees from attaching to it themselves.
Snail heading east
Then things slowed down even more. The blackness on the snail’s face is an ant. I liked the three textures together: the snail, the shell and the bark.
Snail heading west
I liked photographing the spiral of the snail’s shell as well as the back of it. I used a tripod for the snail shots, lying on the ground while I peered up at the snail to get a clear background.
While I was busy ‘working’ I heard some strange sounds above me. Eventually I looked up …
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
I couldn’t help but laugh at their expressions.
Happy birding, Kim
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