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
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
Normally, we will see Australian White Ibises flying over Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore. On occasion, they do land on the oval next to Trin. This picture was taken on 18 September 2024. It was an overcast day which makes it ideal to photograph the White Ibis. White Ibises are high contrast subjects which takes it very difficult to photograph in bright sunlight.
Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/320s f/6.3 ISO800
As the Tasmanian Fantails leave for Tasmania, the Grey Fantails that replaces them are from the main land. These Fantails can be seen Trin Warren Tam-boore in greater numbers now. These photographs of a Grey Fantail was taken on 18 September 2024 at the Western Remant.
Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO2200
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
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 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.
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.
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 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