Category Archives: Photography

Red-backed Kingfisher discovered in Yarra Bend Park

Posted on by
Reply
Red-backed Kingfisher
Red-backed Kingfisher
Red-backed Kingfisher

Over the weekend, there were reports of a Red-backed Kingfisher at Yarra Bend Park on the opposite bank of Dights Fall. I got the alert but did not read it carefully enough and so missed it on Sunday. On the morning of Monday. 2 September 2024, I decided to try my luck and sure enough it appear after about half an hour of waiting.

The Red-backed Kingfisher is an unusual species for Melbourne. It is usually found in arid regions of Australia. For some reason, this one came to Melbourne as a vagrant.

Top-left: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/800s f/9 ISO1250

Top-middle: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/800s f/9 ISO1250

Top-right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/800s f/9 ISO1000

Right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/800s f/9 ISO1600

Red-backed Kingfisher

Noisy Miner: the gangster of the bird world

Posted on by
Reply
Noisy Miner

The Noisy Miner is one of the most common and successful bird in urban Australia. It is a native honeyeater that is extremely territorial and aggressive towards other birds. I have witness a gang of Noisy Miners attacking birds that are larger than itself. This photograph was taken on 29 August 2024.

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

Laughing Kookaburra: regular visitor of Royal Park

Posted on by
Reply
Laughing Kookaburra
Laughing Kookaburra

From time to time, a Laughing Kookaburra will come and visit Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore. Sometimes they will “laugh” but on this particular occasion, it will extremely quiet. These photographs were taken on 26 August 2024.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO900.

Common Bronzewings making Royal Park their home

Posted on by
Reply
Common Bronzewing (Male)

This pair of male and female Common Bronzewings appeared to have settled at the Skink Habitat of Royal Park. They were known to show up once in a while prior to a few weeks ago. The female was observed first and, last week, the male appeared. Hopefully, the pair will mate and produce chicks. Looking forward to see what happens in the next few weeks.

Top-left: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO720.

Top-right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO560.

Mid-right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO1100

Bottom-right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO800

Common Bronzewing (Female)
Common Bronzewing (Male & Female)
Common Bronzewing (Female)

Rose Robin makes a rare visit

Posted on by
Reply
Rose Robin (Male)
Rose Robin (Male)

Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore from time to time will spring a surprise on me. On the morning of 29 August 2024, I spotted what I original thought was a Mistletoebird and later thought it might actually be a Flame Robin. However, on closer look, it was actually a male Rose Robin. I never would have thought to actually see a Rose Robin at this park.

Left: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO2200.

Right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO3200.

Willie Wagtail stealing the limelight

Posted on by
Reply
Willie Wagtail
Willie Wagtail

This Willie Wagtail appears to be begging for its photograph taken. When I saw it, it was on the ground. It quickly flew onto this rock which provided me with an opportunity to capture it with an extremely clean background due to depth-of-field. I personally would have preferred some detail in the background but in this case, the background is not worth recording. This was taken on 23 August 2024 at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO400.

Crested Pigeon

Posted on by
Reply
Crested Pigeon

The Crested Pigeon is a native Australia species. It is a bird that is easily identified due to its unique “hair style”. This particular photograph was taken on 21 August 2024 in Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO3200.

The Hardheads returned to Oak Street Wetland

Posted on by
Reply
Hardhead

From time to time, we can see Hardheads at Oak Street Wetland. This photograph of a male Hardhead was taken in the morning of 19 August 2024. There were 4 Hardheads that day but up to 8 had been reported.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO2200.

Eastern Rosella of Royal Park

Posted on by
Reply
Eastern Rosella

The Eastern Rosella is a frequent visitor to Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore. These birds always adds to the colour of the park. It is always delightful to see one or two. This photograph was taken on 19 August 2024.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO1250.

Willie Wagtail

Posted on by
Reply
Willie Wagtail

The Willie Wagtail is a common bird in Melbourne. This photograph was taken at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore on 19 August 2024. It has a mate close by and was singing. As the name suggests, the bird wags its tail as it moves around. A very sweet bird that I am always happy to see.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO450.