I’m in love.
Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis) – male
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 400, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DsR, Remove term: Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
I saw my first Purple-backed Fairywrens in the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia, about 15 years ago. Back then they were called Variegated Fairywrens, a name which now only relates to the similar fairywrens east of the Great Dividing Range. I was exploring Edgar Range, which is a magnificent rocky canyon in the north western part of the Great Sandy. We climbed into the canyon, it was hot, dry and dusty but there was a small area of lushness around a spring and among the greenery was a family of Purple-backed Fairywrens. Watching them forage and listening to their whispery chatter filled me with joy. I was mesmerised. Seeing them again a few days ago in the Mallee brought back those beautiful memories, and added new ones.
Male Purple-backed Fairywrens are magnificent with their long, grey-blue tails and exquisite breeding colours. Their crowns are bright blue with lighter blue cheeks and eye rings, their shoulders are chestnut edged with lilac patches and almost completely covering their purple backs in this image, they have soft brown wings, black breasts and creamy white underbellies – what’s not to love?
Happy birding
Kim
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One of the greatest thrills for any ornithophile visiting Australia. Is fairywrens of any ilk! How could one ever tire of seeing these little gems?
I totally agree! I could (and do) watch them for hours. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed their company too.
There is absolutely NOTHING not to love in this beauty. Many, many thanks for the introduction.
I remember my introduction to them so clearly EC, such beauty
Just stunning! Such beautiful colours.
They really are exquisite, they make me smile