I was sitting on the river bank waiting for something to happen when I spotted this unusual bee. He was collecting pollen, hovering over each flower for a few seconds before diving into the petals. His green eyes caught my attention.............
Read moreReflections
I was going to photograph Kingfishers this morning but it was very cloudy. The Canning River where they live is overgrown and shady and to get good shots the sun has to be out. So I changed my plan and headed to my usual spot on the Swan River.
Read moreMr & Mrs Kingfisher
I got up early this morning to go back to the Kingfisher nest. When I arrived there was nothing happening so I walked down to the river to have a look at the Darter nest. Mr Darter was sitting on the nest with his head tucked under his feathers asleep. Mrs Darter was not home.
Read moreRainbow Bee Eaters In Flight
I spent late yesterday afternoon photographing Rainbow Bee Eaters. The colours in the sun are stunning! Recently I heard these birds described as resplendent, it is a very fitting description. Here are a few of my best shots.
Mr & Mrs Darter
Introducing Mr & Mrs Darter who occupy a little piece of prime real estate overlooking (literally) the Canning River. Mr Darter is extremely handsome in his suit of black feathers with a tan trim and Mrs Darter is very elegant in her light tan dress feathers. Mrs Darter is kept busy sitting on their nest in the fork of a tree while Mr Darter scours the foreshore for appropriately sized sticks to improve their home. We are hoping to soon hear the flip flop of little webbed feet.........
Kingfishers & Bee Eaters
Always looking for new spots this week I happened across two wonderful finds.........
Read moreMud
This morning I headed back to my usual spot. I had driven past yesterday and there was a flock of Red-Necked Avocets so I was hoping they would still be around. I arrived to find two pairs wading in the small tidal pond.
Read moreSerenity
Still water, sunshine and beautiful colours...............
Read moreEgg Number Three
I have been watching a Great Crested Grebe nest for a few days. Initially there was four eggs, then on Monday one baby and on Tuesday two. When I first got there this morning there was still two babies and two eggs.
Read moreThe Lake
It was time for a change so for the past two weeks I have shifted my early morning activities to a local lake. It started at lunchtime two weeks ago when a random decision to visit resulted in the discovery of Great Crested Grebes swimming around with tiny stripey babies on their backs.
Read moreGreat Crested Grebe Family
It has been an interesting week!! First the Red Necked Avocets and now Great Crested Grebes. I absolutely love Osprey and Egrets but it was time for a change. I needed to find new territory so I headed to the lakes. A Great Crested Grebe floated past.
Read moreFirst Good Photo with the D800
I purchased the new camera, a Nikon D800 along with the 80-400mm lens in December 2013. For various reason the camera was hardly used until July 2014 when we went up North on a brief trip. My old camera a Nikon D40 had served me extremely well taking thousands of photos over many years.
Read moreRed-Necked Avocet
Until today I had only ever seen one or two Avocets and they were always too far off to get sharp photos. Today I was lucky!! I waded out to a sandbar to take photos of pelicans. I was heading back when I saw a flock of birds coming toward me.
Read moreHyperactive Little Egret
This morning I followed a little Egret around the bay. Pure white with fancy breeding feathers, he looked like he should be calm and serene but was manically hyperactive............I can relate!!!
Read moreWhat We Don't See
One of the amazing things about photography is the realization that we never see all that is there. Often I will take a series of photographs and think I know what I have photographed. I usually check them out on the small camera screen as soon as I have finished shooting especially if I think I got something good.
Read moreOspreys Fishing
The Ospreys have a nest on top of pole. Over the last two months, I have been watching them add seaweed and sticks to improve their home. One bird, I am guessing the female, spends a lot of time on the nest while the other perches on a nearby pole or goes for long flights out over the bay.
Read moreAerial Arguments
Birds have them too!! Over the last week I have seen several arguments high in the sky. The most spectacular has been between two Osprey, talons outstretched, beaks open, in a series of fast contorted maneuvers which spun out across the sky.
Read moreBridal Egrets
I have been photographing Great Egrets for a few months. In recent weeks I notice they are more often in pairs and are developing beautiful white gossamer breeding plumage. Their cheeks are also changing from the usual yellow to a vibrant apple green which signifies breeding season.
Read moreJumping Spider
On the weekend we were building a wall with limestone blocks when I spotted a tiny jeweled jumping spider. Iridescent blue and orange with dark green diamond eyes and a cranky demeanor . I couldn't resist borrowing him to take photographs. He was returned safely to get on with jumping spider business.
Read moreMaya Angelou's Poem - I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
I was going through my photos and came across one I took some time ago on a trip to Asia. It is a golden faced hawk with a strong face and defiant eyes. A beautiful bird trapped in a cage. When you look closely at the photo you can see the reflection of the bars in its eye.
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