I never tire of photographing the Superb Fairywrens

Posted on 28 October 2024 by E Y

When I was contemplating buying the 800mm lens, I had the Superb Fairywrens in mind. I am glad that I have made this decision as this lens opened up so many opportunities to photograph small birds, especially, the Fairywrens.

These photographs of a male Superb Fairywren was taken on 12 October 2024 at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore.

I am on a bit of a roll photographing singing birds lately. When this particular bird starting calling, I didn’t hesitant to take the photograph.

The feathers of the bird standing on its end gives the Fairywren a bit of the punk look. When the bird took off, I did capture the bird’s wing in an interesting position but the shutter was too slow to freeze the action. I should have anticipated the bird’s next move. Hopefully, next time, I will be more prepared.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO360

Spotted Dove – an introduced species

Posted on 26 October 2024 by E Y

Spotted Doves are an introduced species that is now well-established in Australia. They can be found in forested areas as well as where humans live.

While not a species I go out of my way to photograph, this Spotted Dove taken at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore on 20 October 2024 was interesting to me because I like how the sun lighted its head while its body and tail transitions into the shadow. The hash shadow on its face gives it a cheeky expression. The background is forested and dark , and that adds a bit of drama to the image.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO360

Restarting my Macro journey

Posted on 24 October 2024 by E Y

It’s been a while since I have done any Macro Photography. I have not been able to go to the park to do wildlife photography because of weather and other commitments. With some time in the afternoon, I decided to assemble my macro photography gear and look for subjects in the garden.

It has been too long between macro shoots, I have not been quick enough to photograph the bees. So, instead, I looked for easier subject and that was the humble housefly.

The difference between this shoot and my previous shoot is the use of the AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF-ED adapted to the Nikon Z8 via a FTZ II. The light source was supplied by 3 SB-R200 as part of the Nikon R1C1 set and a Crafty Bell diffuser.

While I did end up with some reasonable photographs but I felt that I am out of practice with macro. I should try to get back into it and attempt to reestablish my skills.

I also found some Carpet Beetles in some Parsley Flowers. However, they are extremely small (1-3mm). This makes it impossible to photograph with a 1:1 macro lens. I tried to attach a 2X Kenko F-mount teleconverter to the lens but the Z8 is not able to control the aperture which makes the setup useless. I checked the lens and teleconverter with the D850 and that combination worked. I guessed I have just experienced a limitation of mirrorless adaptation.

Nikon Z8, AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF-ED, FTZ II, Nikon SU-800 + 3 x Nikon SB-R200 (R1C1), Wimberley F-2 Macro Bracket, Crafty Bells bonnet diffuser @ 1/200s f/22 ISO200

Bell Miners: permanent residents of Trin Warren Tam-boore

Posted on 22 October 2024 by E Y

Whenever I am at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore, I expect to see the Bell Miners. The day (2 October 2024) this photograph was taken was no exception.

Bells Miners may not win any contest for the best looking bird but it has the most beautiful call that goes “tink”! Hence, the name. They have also been known as Bell Birds. This particular one landed close to me and let off a few calls as I took this photograph. This is definitely the most interesting photograph of this species I have taken so far. I wished it had landed on a more interesting perch. However, it is always the bird that decides if it wanted its photo taken.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO8000

White-faced Heron in flight

Posted on 20 October 2024 by E Y

This photograph of the White-face Heron was taken at the bird hide at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore on 30 September 2024.

The Heron was perched on a nearby tree when I first spotted it. When it flew down to the pond, I seize the opportunity to take this photograph as it banks before landing.

I often find flight shots of birds more interesting than when they are perched on the tree or on the ground – doubly so on the day when this photograph was taken where the background is of the habitat and not a boring blue sky.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/3200s f/6.3 ISO4000

Australian Magpie

Posted on 18 October 2024 by E Y

The Australian Magpie is one of the most common bird found in Australia. They have a unique song that reminds me a lot of the flute. It is always pleasurable to be woken up in the morning by the song of the Magpie.

I regard the Magpie as one of the more intelligent bird in Australia. It can come very close a humans especially when there is food to be had. However, they can read human beings very well and react quickly if they sense that the human they are dealing with has ill intentions. During the Australian spring they have been known to swoop at people, especially cyclist who ride at great speed, and other animals to protect they nest and young.

This particular Magpie was photograph at the oval at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore on 30 September 2024. It has obviously been tagged for a study.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO1000

Buff-banded Rails of Trin Warren Tam-boore

Posted on 16 October 2024 by E Y

The Buff-banded Rails are fairly common in Melbourne parks and nature reserves that has a water feature. Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore is home to at least 3 such rails.

These Rails are cryptic and very secretive. One would have thought that they will be used to humans being in a park but they have an irrationally large circle of fear.

In the morning of 30 September 2024, I was fortunate enough to observe 3 of them. 2 were close to the car park at Trin while the third one was found calling near the drain.

These photographs would have benefited from the use of a 1.4X teleconverter but in order to seize the opportunity I was presented with, I have to go without. The result isn’t too bad but I would have loved to have captured more details.

Top Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO900

Bottom: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO2500

White-browed Scrubwren reveals itself

Posted on 14 October 2024 by E Y

The White-browed Scrubwren is one of the most common birds in Australia. It inhabits most of the local parks and nature reserves. Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore is no exception. It is host to a number of family of this species of bird. I find the Scrubwrens to be one of the most difficult species to photograph. They are usually undercover and rarely be in a position where it lend itself to good isolation. On 30 September 2024, I was fortunate enough to have photograph this Scrubwren. I would count this photograph as my best one of this species.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO1250

The happy Willie Wagtails of Trin Warren Tam-boore

Posted on 12 October 2024 by E Y

The Willie Wagtails seems to be in a singing mood today (26 September 2024) at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore. We can hear them everywhere we go. They have such a beautiful song too. The 2 photographs are of different birds.

Left: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO720

Right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO1250

Common Starlings still in non-breeding plumage

Posted on 10 October 2024 by E Y

On 18 September 2024, a large flock of Starling was perched on a tree in the Skink Habitat of Royal Trin Warren Tam-boore. I managed to isolate 2 birds and took this photograph while they were looking in the same direction. It appears that they are still in there winter (non-breeding) plumage. I suspect they will soon change their coat.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO1000

The Yeo Family

What are they up to?