Brown Falcon revisited #02

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The Australian Darter

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A White-plumed honeyeater

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Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in silhouette

In Australia we call a lookout a “Cockatoo” named after these birds because they always post a lookout in strategic position to watch over the flock and alert them to potential danger.
Cockatoos walk the walk
they are smart and bold
they talk the talk
human or squawk
they are social and caring
for others in the flock
they live for decades
100 years they can clock

Spotted pardalote

A Spotted pardalote, Hughes Creek, Ruffy Tableland, Victoria.
This pardalote resides near the ground
a nest, burrow or embankment
"sleep dee dee" is its call
a sighting generates excitement

Photography days #27.

Spring beaks

Grey Shrike Thrush chicks, Strathbogie Tableland, Victoria.
chirping for attention
mouths always open
feeding is a frenzy
chicks ever hoping

Photography days #24.

Three Yellow-tailed black cockatoos

Yellow-tailed black cockatoos, Strathbogie Forest.
The one on the left said, "What will we do?
I think share all our seed, what about you two?"
The one on the right said, "I've earned more than you."
"I'll be taking full earnings, as is my due!"
The one in the middle said, "Be reasonable." On cue.
"There's no need to bicker, dissent or argue.
Let's eat what we need and let some accrue."
The way forward was set by this Yellow-tailed black guru.

Poetry days #22.

Birdsong

New Holland Honeyeater
The bird that spoke that first perfect note
was a revelation to its kin
because she could sing so beautifully
the other birds decided to join in

some of the birds variations heard
they felt they could do better
so they sang with melodies that made
the landscape ring
and to each note
gave a letter

a chorus formed of singing birds
who organised their songs
into works of art
many species took part
and for the choir
others came along

a feud broke out all about
which birds sang best of the rest
unresolved each species kept
their songs close to their chest
and so today when you hear each
sing their special tweet
be mindful that this is why
only one song can each species
ever repeat

Poetry days #16.

Birds

a brown goshawk feasts on an grey shrike thrush behind the house
Each bird to its own
the cockatoos wheeling and complaining about the violent hand claps that have warned them off the fruit
I swear they’ll go hungry or find someone else’s trees to plunder

the blackbird dashing here and there
tossing up mulch and leaf litter from the garden beds every which way
then singing for their supper
who could begrudge them with such sweet voice

the tiny silver eyes scouring the Japanese maples for tiny insects
darting from one bough to another twittering to each other as if conversation was never allowed a gap

the wild ducks patrolling the grass
mama papa and nine waddling ducklings
who alternate between a confident swagger and animated scurry to parental shelter when too far astray

the chiming grey shrike thrushes sending their musical calls to each other
gladdening the hearts of everyone in acoustic range
adding their friendly company to garden diggers and verandah sitters with books in hand

the magpie family units patrolling the grounds for prey
maturing juveniles wrestling on granite pavements practicing nesting with twigs and twine stolen from the vege patch
constantly whining and dining at mums beak

the multi coloured rosellas in flocks of crimson, green and metal blue
nipping seed heads from the grass flashing colour into the sky
making the landscape a vivid tapestry
bell chiming to each other from tree to tree

the twitching turning ever restless honeyeaters constantly on the wing
eastern spine bills diving into blossoms with curved needle beaks
new hollands darting and diving with gusto at every intruder
wattle birds holding all at bay or aggressively chasing them away

the hopping bower birds establishing their flock
with growing numbers and inquisitiveness staking their ground
atop water bowls and into every ripening fruit they can steal their strong stubby beaks ready to stab and peel

the soaring raptors spiralling aloft on the wind
keen eyes of the hunter for anything that moves
diving like a deadly missile from heaven above
to capture a rodent, a rabbit or unaware dove

Merimbula

In Merimbula the birds
don't need too many words
to describe their grace and beauty
let's just say they are all mighty

Photography days #06. For the walking map and description I have published on Victoria Walks see: https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/5767

All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

Mirror mirror

White-faced heron, Edwardes Lake
Just confirming I'm the right bird in the right place
Lakeside - check
Reed beds - check
Tasty aquatic life - check
Big grey bird, yellow legs, long neck, spear like beak, white face.

This photo was taken while creating a lakeside accessible walking map for people who use mobility aids. You can view it here: Edwardes Lake Accessible Walk.

Photography days #03. All work is my own. I do not use AI.

Lake Colac Pelicans: the break up and the make up

Australian Pipit

A common Australian terrestrial bird that spends most of its time on the ground for foraging and breeding. Prefers semi to open habitats. I often see them on rural tracks running the wheel ruts.