Superb Fairywren are all over the place these days. This one was found in Trin Warren Tam-boore on 10 December 2024. It looked like it is going to have its breakfast.
Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO2800
Crested Pigeons are common in Australia. They can be found easily at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore. This photograph was taken in the morning of 10 December 2024.
The day was fairly overcast. This provided a nice soft light for the photography at the field next to Trin. This particular Crested Pigeon was kind enough to pose for me.
Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/400s f/6.3 ISO1400
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
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
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
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
On 9 November 2024, there were quite a few Grey Teals at the Oak Street Wetland. I managed to get there half an hour after sunrise. The sky was clear but the rising sun gave off a warm golden light – the so called golden hour.
A few Grey Teals swam pass me as I took advantage of the usual break in the reeds to get close to the water’s edge. The camera was held in front of me close to the surface of the water. The resulting photographs was that of the Teals from a low angle.
First: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO400
Second: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO250
The Little Pied Cormorant is a reasonable common bird of the Oak Street Wetland. While it does not always have a presence like the Eurasian Coote, there is a good chance of seeing one when you visit Oak Street.
This particular Cormorant appears to be posing for a photograph why it perched on a tree branch to dry off after a swim in the pond. It was taken on 8 November 2024. From the looks of it, it is a checky one.
Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO220
Another very common species in Australia is the Pacific Black Duck. They are so common that most wildlife photographers and birders do not bother to photograph them.
As part of my photographic quest, I want to photograph very species in Trin Warren Tam-boore incorporating the Oak Street Wetland. This is my attempt at the Black Duck during sunrise that cast a beautiful warm light on the subject. This particular photograph was taken on 8 November 2024.
Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO640