Eve Parry of Frankland River in Western Australia (Location) writes:
In my last article I wrote about the Australian native birds that frequent our garden at our home ‘Goondiwindi’.
Jim and I (pictured above) have identified and photographed over 35 species that we have seen in our one and a half acre patch of Australian paradise. This week we talk about the smaller birds and what it takes to attract these beaties.
Photo # 1 - Taking a bath
Smaller birds need other elements to attract them to the garden beds close to the house; water is important for drinking and bathing, especially during the summer months.
Photo # 2 - Feasting On Nectar. A New Holland Honey Eater
They will visit nectar-laden flowers all day.
Photo #3. Three, Two, One. Lift Off! A New Holland Honey Eater setting flight.
If you leave your camera trained on just one bird, the unexpected may happen.
Photo # 4 - A Male & Female Western Rosella.
Even the shy Western Rosella’s have learnt there is nothing to fear from the people who live here.
Photo # 5 - Mirror Mirror, a Port Lincoln Parrot.
Four and a half years ago, we had our garden open to the public in an effort to help raise funds for the building of a new community centre in Frankland River.
For extra interest, I made up a file with information about each bird species we had seen in our garden and we were amazed when the count went to over 35. Since then we have had even more species visit, though, many have been very difficult to photograph.
Photo # 6 - Well Hello There Beautiful, Muir’s Corellas.
The Muir’s Corella ‘Cacatua pastinator’ is confined to the far south-west of Western Australia near Lake Muir but each year as their numbers grow they take over more and more farm land during the summer months.
This population, which once numbered only 100 is now thought to contain around 10,000 individuals, so it may soon be removed from the rare and endangered list.
I love these cheeky birds but I am afraid they are not popular with the farming population; I guess if I were having my crops ruined, I wouldn’t find their antics cute either.
Photo # 7 - Morning Warm Up
However, from a photographers point of view, I can’t help but be delighted as I watch them do their morning warm up on the power lines near my home.
Photo # 8- Red Tailed, Black Cockatoo
Another rare and endangered bird that visits the tall trees at our front gate are a small group of Red Tailed, Black Cockatoos. The male birds have lustrous black plumage with eye-catching, bright red tail panels. The slightly smaller females are brownish-black with stunning yellow-orange tail stripes
Photo # 9 - Little Pied Cormorant.
Water birds abound along the beautiful Frankland River and that is where I will leave you this week.
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Related Posts
- Eves Australia # 4 - ‘Goondiwindi’ & Australian Birds
- Eve’s Australia # 2 - Why Frankland River?
- Eve’s Australia - Retiring to the Country
- Eve’s Australia # 3 – Frankland River Gives Up Its Secrets
- Myth Busted - Australia Exports Just 22% of Ag Production not 80%
Tags: Australia
Eve,
I just want to say that I really like your photos and comments. It puts a breath of fresh air into the midst of many disappointing and gloomy news items. Some of your photos are especially breathtaking in beauty. What a glorious Creation!
What a wonderful Creator!
Thank you Rosalie, I appreciate your wonderful comments so much.
It wasn’t until we retired to the country that we realised how difficult life is for farmers. If I can brighten even a small part of someone’s day it helps to allay the guilt I sometimes feel when I think about how much time I spend on my hobby.
Eve,
When I was a youngster my farming parents, who were not well-to-do would sometimes take time off to go for a drive to visit scenic spots, and to “drop in”, and see this or that one on the way. Everyone would gather at the kitchen table to have cups of tea and homemade cakes when these impromptu visits occurred. They might have a look at the property, and poke around in the garden before moving on. No rush, no pressure. Nowadays it is all rush, rush, bought biscuits, and guilt feelings if you stop to enjoy being alive. How many of us are even aware of the beauty of the scenes you photograph, even though it is all around us, because we are too pressured and/or “guilty” to pause.
Sorry to have taken so long to reply. My 92 year old Mum was taken into hospital last week and I have been too worried to think of anything except her.
Jim (my husband) has been retired for ten years and he still works the hours he did previously. I think this is where my guilty feelings come from.