New Zealand native found in Brunswick

Posted on 17 January 2025 by E Y

On 1 December 2024, a Red-crowned Parakeet was found in a laneway in Brunswick. This bird was identified as a Red-crowned Parakeet which is a bird native to New Zealand. However, Parakeets in the wild are naturally green in colour. This bird is mainly yellow which suggests that it was a domesticated bird, i.e. someone’s pet.

Through selective breeding in captivity, the Red-crowned Parakeet are transformed from green to bright yellow. According to the neighbours, this bird had been wandering the laneway the day prior. It seems incapable of looking after itself and finding food for itself. I normally don’t feed wildlife but in this case, I gave the bird some sunflower seeds.

Fortunately, it retreated to a small tree in a private property. This gave it some shelter. I wasn’t able to find it the next day. I hope it made its way back to its owner.

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

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

Little Black Cormorant in silhouette

Posted on 7 January 2025 by E Y

This photograph of a Little Black Cormorant in flight at the Oak Street Wetland was taken on 6 December 2024 a bit after sunrise. There wasn’t much light at the time as the cloud obscured the sun but the combination of cloud and sun resulted in a rather dramatic sky. Exposing for the sky resulted in the bird in silhouette.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/3200s f/6.3 ISO200

A flower beetle in our backyard

Posted on 5 January 2025 by E Y

On a cloudy morning of 22 November 2024, I spotted a flower beetle of the genius Mordella. I am unable to identify the specific species of this beetle. The iNaturalist Seek mobile app was only able identify the genius.

This is the first time I have seen this beetle. It disappeared the next day.

The photograph was taken with the Nikon Z 105mm macro lens with a Roynox DCR-250 and a flash diffused by a newly acquired Cynustech diffuser.

Nikon Z8, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, Rayox DCR-250, Nikon SB-910, Cynustech Diffuser @ 1/200s f/22 ISO400

Superb Fairywren singing passionately

Posted on 3 January 2025 by E Y

On 20 November 2024, I came across this male Superb Fairywren at Trin Warren Tam-boore singing with gusto.

The pose was excellent but there were some twigs and branches in the background. I think it contributes to tell a story of the habitat of the bird.

As an experiment, I used Adobe Photoshop to remove some objects in the background. This resulted in the second photograph.

What I feel about the alternated image is that it looks too sterile and, therefore, lacks authenticity. I think I still prefer the original photograph.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO450

Grey Teal looking cute

Posted on 29 December 2024 by E Y

Another photograph of a sweet Grey Teal at Oak Street wetland. This photograph was take on 15 November 2024.

It was taken on a close to the water surface hand-held and composed using the rear LCD of my camera an hour after sunrise.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO2200

Another portrait of a Pacific Black Duck

Posted on 27 December 2024 by E Y

On 15 November 2024, this Pacific Black Duck came very close to me at the Oak Street Wetland. Of the native ducks, the Pacific Black Duck is probably the one that is most comfortable with human, especially if they are used to being fed.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO2800

Willie Wagtail at the oval

Posted on 23 December 2024 by E Y

There is almost always a Willie Wagtail at Trin Warren Tam-boore. This one was found at the oval on the morning of 14 November 2024. The Wagtails are very used to having people around. I have not met one that has a large circle of fear anywhere in Australia.

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

Silver Gull posing at the oval

Posted on 21 December 2024 by E Y

Silver Gulls are a common sight at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore. This particular Silver Gull posed for a photograph at the oval on the morning of 14 November 2024.

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

Buff-banded Rail foraging at Trin

Posted on 19 December 2024 by E Y

On some occasions, we do see the Buff-banded Rail foraging at Trin Warren Tam-boore. This was the case on the morning of 10 November 2024.

At this time, only one Rail was seen. Sometimes, we can have 3 Rails out in the open. I hid behind a tree and try to look as non-threatening as I can be. I believed it knows that I was around but being a distance away, it must feel quite comfortable. As it seemed to be as ease with me looking on, I had time to remove the strap from my camera and held it low at ground level using the LCD screen of the camera to compose and focus. The result was a better photograph than my previous attempts. Due to the uneven ground, I was not able to get the background to be as clean as possible.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO80

Charging Pacific Black Ducks

Posted on 17 December 2024 by E Y

This dramatic looking image was taken in the morning of 10 November 2024 at the Oak Street Wetlands within an hour of sunrise. The sky was clear and the rising sun cast a warm light onto the wetland.

While the ducks looked like they were charging toward me, this is common behavior of these ducks. They are swimming towards me expecting to be fed. Visitors to the Oak Street Wetland generally don’t feed the wildlife, these ducks must have come from a location where they are being pampered. As a rule, it is best not to feed wildlife as they need to develop the skills to feed themselves and the food people give wildlife may not be appropriate.

First: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO450

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Category Archives: Wildlife