Tag Archives: Nikon Z TC-1.4X

Red-backed Kingfisher discovered in Yarra Bend Park

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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

The winter home of Flame Robins

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Flame Robin (Male)
Flame Robin (Male)

In Winter, some Robins will migrate to the open plains around Melbourne. Some Flame Robins are believed to also migrate from Tasmania. These pair of Flame Robins was photographed at Woodlands Historic Park on 4 August 2024. I have to employ the 1.4X TC as the Flame Robins are extremely skittish.

Left: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/500s f/9 ISO1400.

Right: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/500s f/9 ISO1100.

Dusky Woodswallow with an attitude

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Dusky Woodswallow

Another photograph taken in Chiltern on 9 May 2024 at the waterhold. This picture is of a Dusky Woodswallow. I would have prefer more distance between the Woodswallow and the background though but I still think the background is not exactly distracting.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/800s f/9 ISO720

Black-chinned Honeyeater

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Black-chinned Honeyeater (Black-chinned)

Another photograph of the Black-chinned Honeyeater taken at the waterhole in Chiltern on 9 May 2024.

At that time of the year, the Ironbark are flowering. That attracted a lot of Honeyeaters to the area. These include Black-chinned Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater, Fuscous Honeyeater, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater and a lot more. The area was also dry which explains why the waterhole is popular with the bird.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/1000s f/9 ISO1600

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

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White-bellied Cuckooshrike

Another observation in Chiltern on 9 May 2024. It was the first time we have ever seen a White-bellied Cuckooshrike. This is not a bird we even thought existed and was a complete surprise when it appear at the waterhole.

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

White-napped Honeyeater

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White-naped Honeyeater

Another photograph from Chiltern on 8 May 2023. This time, it is the photograph of the White-napped Honeyeater. We have previously observed this bird in the Grampians and we have only seen it once at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-Boore.

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

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

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Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

This is an photograph from our recent trip to Chiltern on 8 May 2024. We have previously travelled to the outskirts of Melbourne to photograph this bird but after having walked 8km, the result was a sighting of one bird and a blurry picture. In Chiltern, they are virtually everywhere!

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/800s f/9 ISO2800

The critically endangered Swift Parrots

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Swift Parrot
Swift Parrot

It is reported that there are only about 500 Swift Parrots in the wild. In our last trip to Chiltern on 9 May 2024, there were about 20 to 30 of them at the watering hole we visited. Seeing so many parrots in one spot gives one a false impression that these parrots are common. I have been told that the 500 figure is very credible.

These parrots breeds in Tasmania and migrate to the mainland in Winter. The lost of habitant and predation by introduced species have contributed to their decline. Hopefully, these magnificent creatures can recover from this predicament.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/800s f/9 ISO4000 (left) ISO1800 (right)

Turquoise Parrot at a waterhole

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Turquoise Parrot

Another photograph taken at Chiltern on 9 May 2024. This is one of many Turquoise Parrot taking a sip at a waterhole. This one, in particular, had a brilliant turquoise face which attracted me to take this photograph.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/400s f/9 ISO2200

Fuscous Honeyeater

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Fuscous Honeyeater

This is another picture taken on 9 May 2024 on our trip to Chiltern at a waterhole. The Fuscous Honeyeaters are one of the many species of birds that use the waterhole for hydration. This photograph depicts what appears to be an adult and its young.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z TC-1.4X @ 1120mm 1/400s f/9 ISO1250