Superb Fairywren in breeding plumage

Posted on 4 October 2024 by E Y

As we approach the breeding season, the Superb Fairy at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boorie are in full breeding plumage. They are also seemed to show themselves more these days.

These photographs of a calling Fairywren was taken on 18 September 2024. They are one of my favourite photograph subjects. These are probably some of the best photographs I have of this species. I like the them because it depicts the bird in its environment with blurry front and background giving the photographs a dreaming look. I like to take more of this type of photographs.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO450

Australian Ringneck at the Red Cliffs Lookout

Posted on 2 October 2024 by E Y

I have taken many photographs of the Australian Ringneck (Mallee subspecies) during this trip. However, many did not turn out well. This photograph was taken on the last day of the trip (7 September 2024) during sunset at Red Cliffs Lookout.

Red Cliffs Lookout is an excellent location for bird photography in the evening. There is a resident pair of Singing Honeyeaters. One can also expect to see Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters, White-browed Babblers, Red-rumped Parrots and Greater Bluebonnet.

If I had a few more days in this location, I reckon I can get decent photographs of these birds. It will have to be another trip.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO140.

White-plumed Honeyeaters at the Red Cliffs Lookout

Posted on 30 September 2024 by E Y

White-plumed Honeyeaters are very common in city parks. However, they are also one of the hardest birds to photograph.

This pair of White-plumed Honeyeaters was taken at the Red Cliffs Lookout on the evening of 7 September 2024 (the last day of our trip) as the sun sets. Hence, the warm tones.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO125.

Black Kite spotted at Etiwanda Wetlands

Posted on 28 September 2024 by E Y

Etiwanda Wetlands is a man-made wetlands that is used to treat stormwater at Mildura. Like many such wetlands, it is full of wildlife ranging to ducks to small birds (including the sort after Purple-backed Fairywren) and, of course, raptors. We visited this location twice and we have seen a Collared Sparrowhawk, a resident Whistling Kite and a Black Kite. This photograph of the Black Kite was taken on the morning of 7 September 2024.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/3200s f/6.3 ISO900.

Grey Butcherbird of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

Posted on 26 September 2024 by E Y

On 4 September 2024, the first full day at the national park, we encountered a Grey Butcherbird near the visitor centre. This is definitely not the first time we have seen a Grey Butcherbird but it is still good to see a familiar creature.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO720

Yellow-plumed Honeyeater

Posted on 24 September 2024 by E Y

Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters are almost everywhere at the Nowingi and Konardin Tracks in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. This photograph of the ubiquitous honeyeater was taken on 5 September 2024 at the Konardin Track near the bee hives.

Left: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO640

Splendid Fairywren of the Nowingi Track

Posted on 22 September 2024 by E Y

On the morning of 5 September 2024, a couple of fellow travelers told us that they have spotted Mallee Emu-wrens on the Nowingi Track north of the junction with the Konardin Track. We walked up the track to look for the Emu-wrens. However, we came upon the enclave of the Splendid Fairywren after hearing their calls. We saw a few females and eclipsed males. The closest to a male in breeding plumage was this molting male. We did not end up spotting any Emu-wrens.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO2200

Hooded Robin of Nowingi and Konardin Tracks

Posted on 20 September 2024 by E Y

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO1250 — Hooded Robin (Female)

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO280 — Hooded Robin (Male)

The photograph of the female Hooded Robin (left) was taken at Konardin Track. There was another male with it. I did have the photograph of the male but the one taken at the Nowingi (right) was selected to be posted here. These photographs was taken in the morning of 5 September 2024. Like many bird during this trip, it was the first time we seen this birds.

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

Right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO280

Pink Cockatoos in Ouyen

Posted on 18 September 2024 by E Y

At around the evening of 4 September 2024 at Blackburn Park (an oval) in Ouyen, we spotted a Pink Cockatoo flying and calling loudly over the oval. We followed it in our car and saw it perched on a wire. At the time, we also heard another cockatoo in a tree. The other Cockatoo was discovered in a tree hollow. These photographs are of the second Cockatoo from the tree hollow. We were not fortunate enough to photograph the Cockatoo with its crest opened. Maybe next time.

Left: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO1400

Right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO800

Apostlebird of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

Posted on 16 September 2024 by E Y

This photograph of an Apostlebird was taken near the visitor centre of the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park on 4 September 2024. It was the first time we have seen this bird. We knew before hand that these birds are no strangers to humans but did not expect them to be so audacious. They came some close to me that wished I had a 400mm lens instead.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO720

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