My Local Feathered Friends

For several months now, I have had a collection of photos in a folder to add to a new post. I have been short on time for blogging, so that post has continually been postponed. A Hungry Hiker evening walk, a week ago, and the arrival of hungry Corrella's in our garden Cypress Pine, has led me to do so now.

Humid heat has arrived with the result that my walking groups are now excercising very early in the morning or late afternoon.

A week ago the Hungry Hikers took an early evening stroll along the Wynnum foreshore. Pelicans are often sighted. On this occasion we spotted in the distance a small group rushing to the water's edge. They promptly jumped up onto the seawall and began to march themselves across the road. Our pace quickened to see why. 

It appears that a resident on the opposite side of the street must regularly feed them.  

Feeding over, one by one they returned to the water. 

The seeds of our cyprus tree have ripened and the Corellas have arrived to dine. This year they are in small groups, but the damage to the tree is still extremely noticeable. They sit on a branch to break off the end of the leaf growing the seed. They then delicately hold the same in their claw, to lift the seed up to their mouth to chew. The leaf is then dropped to the ground.

When I appeared this morning, they flew to the power lines to dine.

Pelicans still regularly visit the golf ponds and are a sheer joy to me to watch, even if it is often from afar because the course is busy. My zoom lens comes in very handy. 

On a near by river walk, I was overjoyed to watch these Red Browed Firetails [Finches] flitting in and out of the river bank undergrowth.

On a mid morning walk, the high canopied trees of the road's central nature strip, were alive with Fig Birds raucously flitting through the upper branches and feeding on the abundance of fruit. It took me quite some time to actually spot a bird, and it seemed like forever to actually get a photo of one or two. The bottom R is the male.

These petite little finches are often heard on the oval, filmed in the videos below. On this morning, they were more receptive to being photographed, even if it was only their back view.

On the edge of the oval is a stand of swamp trees and the fruit bats are regularly seen resting here.

We have several black and white birds and I am forever naming them incorrectly.

The Magpie has a white hood and is predominently black.

The Butcher Bird has a black hood and is predominently white.

Silvereye - a honey eater that rarely sits still, but flits from blossom to blossom.

These Owls were well camaflouged.

Unusual to see ducks in trees, especially this Wood Duck, blending in so perfectly.

His friends.

Two Lorrikeets and their ant nest home.

This chap was seen taking bith his dog and his Galah for an early morning walk.

My son Matthew sent this photo mid year - an emu in Austria!

My zoom was used to take this image of a flowering gum tree. I doubt you will manage to spot any Lorrikeets, but there were masses of them noisily enjoying the rich nectar.

Finally, 2 videos taken on walks in June and July. The birdsong on these mornings was amazing, but I have to add, that at any time of day the air is filled with beautiful calls. I am truely blessed and often stop to listen in amazement. As I was adding these videos [sitting looking over the golf course] the calling of the Corellas was so loud I couldn't hear the video sound, even on full sound. They were joined by passing Rosellas, Noisy Miners and protective Plovers.

And now for the glorious warbling of our Butcher Bird.

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