Stage 4 lockdown, plus a storm, plus a power outage, plus a tree across the driveway, plus a leak, plus a warning not to drink the water.
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 800, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mmL IS USM EXT, handheld
The Lilydale SES solved the tree problem (thank you Fiona and Steve), the weather is calm, the power is back, there’s a bucket under the leak and the water can be boiled.
I decided to take the dogs for a walk, I flung the door wide, strode outside, and froze at the sight of a couple of dozen Crimson Rosellas feeding on the grass right in front of me. The most remarkable part of it was that they didn’t take off. I propped the door open, grabbed my camera gear and tiptoed back to start shooting, handheld, semi-squatting, very uncomfortable, but smiling.
Most of the birds, like the shots I’ve shared, were youngsters that were gradually replacing their green plumage with the crimson red of the adult birds.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 1600, focal length 540mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mmL IS USM EXT, handheld
There’s a lot of kikuyu grass here, it’s a pretty ordinary lawn but it supplies food for parrots and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos as they love munching on the rhizomes. They dig up a sprig of grass with their bills, and bite into the rhizome to extract the sugary starch. They’re happy, I’m happy and kikuyu is tough enough to handle it and quickly regenerate.
Happy birding from home, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
Hi Kim. Wow, mother nature can be a tough customer at times. But then she has a way of reminding us of the beauty that is often right in front of us. All we have to do is take the time look. I think that’s one of the greatest lessons art has to offer. Thank you for the amazing photo.
That’s so true Harry, those reminders of mother nature’s beauty are very welcome, always.
2020 – do your worst, we’ll still come out bigger and better.
Love these parrots, they’re so friendly and gentle. Beauty in the midst, thanks for sharing Kim.
And regardless of what’s happening in the world there are still some beautiful sights to see. I hope they visit you often Syndy, and I’m glad you liked these two.
I know exactly how you feel as it was the same for us minus the leak but add a modem
That had given up. Some suburbs next to us still not on. Unfortunately I didn’t get the joy of any bird visit. Love the angle of the light. Wonder if they feel the colour change. Appreciate your angle of birds your enthusiasm.
It was the last of the evening light Togram, most of the birds stayed in the shade, I was glad when a few ventured out! Most colour changes in birds is via a moult, usually once a year. The new pin feathers can be quite sensitive as they grow, until the sheaths break away and the blood supply retreats. Less commonly some birds’ colouring can change from feather fringing being worn away due to abrasion. It’s fascinating, all of it.
The storm…… but had to laugh at your great shot of the bird with a great, big fistful(?) of food! Can see him/her thinking — yum! Smiling and thanking you, Deb
Oh it does look like it’s smiling! I hadn’t noticed that Deb, thank you
Your photo is an interesting reminder to me that if I dig out my kikuyu lawn out for a more native lawn/garden area I may be temporarily removing a food source . Whatever we alter in our own little habitats has some impact on something in the chain .We have sold our farm and moved to the nearby town , just in time to lockdown for Covid …..exasperating ….but we have a large park next to us . Instead of Crimsons and Sulphur-cresteds, we have Red-rumps and Galahs doing the same job . The Galahs cultivate large areas of ground digging out onion weed corms and any seeding grass is food for the Red-rumps . The storms must have been frightening . Stay safe .
It is interesting to think about removing non-native species. I have the same issue here when removing blackberries and pampas grass. I planted locally indigenous prickly plants to (hopefully) replace the nest safety of the blackberries, and gahnia to replace the pampas. I’m glad you have a park nearby Paul, you must miss your farm a bit more than you’d anticipated.
I am very, very glad that you found a bright spot. And such a bright spot. We see the crimson rosellas too, but generally only in very small groups. They are very welcome.
As are the sulphur crested vandals who I wish would limit themselves to kikuyu and didn’t feel the need to dig up my tulip bulbs take a bite and move onto the next. Not to mention shredding and beheading the daffodils, the camellias, the anomones, the tritellia… And yes they are also still welcome.
It would be super disappointing to have your garden bulbs dug up etc. So interesting (and annoying) that they wreck so many of your flowers. I wonder if there is some sugary starch or nectar that’s attracting them. I’m glad they’re still welcome despite their destruction, you’re a gem!
My goodness you have it all, you poor thing! Looks like these Rosellas were your silver lining. Beautiful photos as always, Kim. Such a lovely angle getting down as low as them. Wish I could do that but I think I would face-plant the ground and scare the birds off.Lol.Hope everything settles down soon for you down in Victoria.Stay safe and well. xx
Thank you Marg. They were definitely a silver lining, a much appreciated one too. I do love being at eye-level with birds and other critters whenever it’s possible, I’ve been stuck in a bend from time to time myself! xo
Hi Kim
Thanks for another interesting and informative post. I don’t think I’ve seen the feathers in this transitional stage before. So beautiful. Pleased the storm’s effects weren’t too bad.
Best wishes, Helen
Lovely to hear from you Helen. Non-birders often think the ‘green rosellas’ are a different species rather than young Crimsons, they are definitely beautiful