Ended 2013 with two of my favourite birds (o.k. who am I kidding, they're ALL my favourites depending on the day ). First up, a suprise day trip to the Central Highlands (Tas) which meant I got to see the ever present Black Currawong. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I love these birds for their glossy plumage & cheeky personalities. Wonderful to watch a fledgling, as big as the parent, begging for food and wobbling around after mum/dad. If they are the same pair I saw in early 2013, in this same spot, they seem to have only one young one this season, last year it was two.
And, repeating myself here from another post , but some beautiful cheeky Dusky Robins. I can't remember, when I first got this birding itch a year or so ago, these birds being so curious & bold. Perhaps it's just the area I photographed them in this time, quite a reasonable amount of foot traffic through there. Either way, nice to have a fairly easy subject for a change.
Hope you enjoy.
Black Currawong (adult)
Tasmanian endemic
Black Currawong (fledgling/juvenile)
Black Currawong (adult) - With remnants of a moth lunch.
Dusky Robin (adult male or female)
Tasmanian Endimic
Dusky Robin (juvenile)
Always great to see those juveniles, Annie. They're an indicator of a relatively healthy environment.
Lovely to see your photos Annie - such clear ones of the currawong.
In spite of your repeat, I can't say no to a dusky robin.
the detail is outstanding Annie . Just beautiful as always
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
The robins are beautiful! And I too love currawongs. We get pieds here.
Absolutely Woko. Sensational job P&W and their staff do, (especially considering the summer flow of tourism), at Cradle to keep it pristine and preserved. Windshear, I have to say the Dusky's are an equal first favourite Tas Robin for me (love the Pinks) - relatively plain, but choc full of personality and inquisitiveness. Thanks shoop! Sacrednavel, would love to see some pieds if ever you get the chance! Might make a planned visit (to Cradle) next time, when the weather clears up - I'm even getting "used" to the leeches .
West Coast Tasmania
Sensational Photos again Annie, Perfect exposure, I find the black Birds like the Currawong and Crow are the most difficult to show feather details & I love these Birds theres something Devilish about them. You nail it every time! I love the little Robins. I'm thinking of doing a photography course and your helping me make-up my mind. Love your work.
Cheers.
Thanks Dennis. Actually, exposure is the trickiest for me , just when I think I'm getting the hang of "it", ba-bommmb, lol. I am starting to understand my histogram a little more though, finally - although, all-white birds still remain a nightmare for me. Coincidentally, I've been trying to find a local photography course this past year too! I just wanted something very basic & very hands on - too much written/reading theory and it all turns into blah blah in my brain. I'm a much faster learner if I can do what I'm being taught by putting it into practice - kinesthetic learning style I believe it's called, or at least that's the nice way to put it . Perhaps when we move, I'll have more course options available wherever we end up, I hope so. Hope you find something suitable where you are and have fun with it!
West Coast Tasmania
hi annie - you always take such beautiful pictures. I particularly like your first currawong pic - with the wet feathers and beak and the the attitude. (Your pics make these less colourful birds look stunning)
yes Annie the photo are so clear, make mine photos look like mud, I need to do a few lessons myself. I am still on AF
anyway I still enjoy being outdoors
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Sorry to hijack your post Annie, I know you possibly won't mind, but this is something I have been meaning to say for a while now!
Let's not forget it is all about posting your own best photos, and while I admire everyone's brilliant shots, I still enjoy those who are no where near the quality of these. I think we all are striving to improve our own efforts, but don't be afraid to post, just because we are not as good as some.
I also get a little annoyed with members apologising for the quality of their photos, just post them for what they are, I have little or no hope of achieving results like Annie, Araminta and Rawshorty (just to name a few) with my equipment, poor eyesight and lack of ability.
SO PLEASE POST YOU PICS, SO WE CAN ALL SEE WHAT YOU SEE, and enjoy!
Thats my little tanty over with, so back to enjoy everyone's fine work.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Please post them Darin!!
For me personally, enjoying the natural world, being in it, seeing it, sharing it in written form, all that stuff with like-minded people, is the best bit. Being able to share some of it in an image, regardless of the image, that's just a bonus imho, and just a small part of the experience or story really - a small part of BIBY too. But I'm probably not saying anything new there .
I hear what you're saying Dale, and I agree. Often I'm too critical of my own shots, but critique honestly doesn't even enter my thought process for others' images, I just enjoy - hope that makes sense? I really hope no-one ever holds back posting an image or thinks their photo's won't be enjoyed or appreciated for whatever reason - there's no sheep station up for grabs here that's for certain, or medals, or chests to pin them on (for pinning the medals onto, not the sheep station, because that would be painful.) So, post away!!
West Coast Tasmania
Mmmm, no sheep station up for grabs? well thats disappointing ......... but seriously, nobody should be put off by someone elses Images they think may be "better than theres", surely this site is not about that, if anything I see very impressive photography on this site & it only encourages me & enthuses me to try to improve & lets be honest, isn't that what we want to do? I know I do. So I say bring it on. I'm a long way short of a great photographer but I have a burning desire to photograph Birds in flight because thats what I love. No matter what level your photography is at I know I will enjoy your photos & so will everybody else, if thay don't, well, thats their problem.
Cheers.
ps Hope I havn't offended anyone, but...................
"Do what you love, so you can love what you do"