I went to Lakewood to find a Freckled-Duck. All I found were introduced ducks, so I enjoyed this guy, while he was preening. The sun just came out for a few minutes.
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Forgot to say, I like the "headless" one , a bit like me at times.
M-L
LOL...too funny! love action shots, great pics ;0)
Thanks Jackie.
Holly, is it just me, or has the quality improved? The colours look very good.
M-L
I think it is your beautiful photography, M-L. I love these birds and have a pair that nest around here, though the crows are a real problem for them and they aren't rearing as many young as they used to.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Thanks Karen. What do the Crows do to them? Chase them, take over their territory, eat their eggs or young? I thought the Magpie-Larks would be able to stand up against them? I do have Magpies and some Currawongs, but they don't bother the other birds. But I have enough room for all of them.
M-L
Unfortunately the crows take the babies from the nest. I watched helplessly as two butcher birds fought furiously, trying to save their baby, but the crows took it. I never realized how seriously birds suffered grief, but the female went crazy for a long time after, calling, attacking even her mate if he came near her, throwing her body at the nest. It was heart wrenching. I think the crows are going to drive all the other nesting birds out of the area, as they are taking over every tree to nest in themselves now, and being a built up suburb, there aren't that many tall trees left.
I've also seen crows decimate duckling broods. From up to 15 baby ducklings, the parents are lucky to get 2 through to maturity, and the main problem seems to be the crows.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
I agree it is distressing for us and the birds, but that is nature at work, natural selection. Some birds would reach plague proportions if not for the predators. The crows, ravens etc do a fine job of cleaning up the road kill and other carrion.
Life in the world of birds is tuff. Sometimes it is very sad for us to watch it. All we can do, as Woko always says, not to destroy their habitat, and where it's lost, try to revegetate as best as we can.That way at least birds don't have to fight over terretory.
Karen, we had Wood Duck ducklings two years in a row, 23 in one season. I took photos of them coming out of the tree, marching past the house. They lasted for two days. All of the were eaten by a pair of Wedge-tails . they had to feed their young.After two years of loosing their chicks, the ducks didn't come back. Mind you, come breeding season, the Eagles have a look anyhow.
I would feel the same as you though, Karen,
M-L
In your locality, Karen, I get the strong impression that crow predation of young butcherbirds &, perhaps, other bird species is strongly linked to human removal of trees & other habitat. To protect the non-crow species habitat restoration would seem to be an appropriate way to go. Maybe your local council needs to be made aware of this.
Won't happen, Woko. This area is just waiting for the bulldozers and the developers now. Its mostly a dept housing area, and all long term tenants in the past have had all efforts at growing shrubs destroyed in mass "urban renewal" programs. Now they are planning to demolish the whole area for units. One lot has been up for quite some time, and the next acreage block is underway, both in my street. There will be nothing left before they've finished. I've given up on trying to do anything for the birds and lizards anymore as they are going to be bulldozed into the ground anyway.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Sorry guys, I have some complaints here.If you drift off and take part in an unrelated discussion , at least you could make some kind of comment about my photos, I don't think they are bad,( I think they are rather good if I may say so?).Neither roybat, nor Woko even made a comment about my photos. I don't expect praise, but the least I would like to get, was something like: I like your shots.
THANKS JACKIE, THANKS KAREN for liking my photos of the Magpie-lark.
M-L
M-L you are right ,you have been busy snapping away over the past week. Please keep us posted. I enjoy the shots.
Darin
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Sorry, Yes your shots are excellent. Roy