My Golden Whistler has returned, but unlike the lucky (clever) Araminta, I can't find a nest or a male, but I wonder if the second photo is a juvenile male? There is a single fleck of yellow on his/her breast. (and it's not a trick of light, it was still there in another view).
What is the Posting etiquette? Should I have added this to M-L's post?
Hi Roger, you can add anything you like to my posts, I don't mind. I think if it relates to something I posted, it makes it easier to understand for everyone.
As for your birds, I can see the tiny spot on the chest. I haven't seen any young yet.I'm not sure what the juveniles will look like? Yours look like females to me.
Both my Whistlers are still flirting, they are getting to know me, and I can get closer to them. I took some photos this morning ,when the male G W chassed other birds off. Then I took one of a bird, that could be a young Whistler, but is most likely a Yellow Robin. As soon as I find little ones, I will let all of you know.
Have you heard the male Whistler ?
M-L
How can you tell?
Is the male whistler call the strong/strident whistle? I haven't yet seen either bird whilst it's calling. (In fact I've never seen a Male GW at all!) There has been a loud, strong call in the vacinity of the birds, but there are Rufous whistler nearby, and the loud call sounds like them.
The rufous whistler has the stronger, more strident call. Much of the golden whistler's call is like a thinner, higher grey shrike thrush call, especially the sharp, ascending bit at the end.
looks like that Roger:
M-L
Looks like you have them trained, "Pose please" snap. Very jealous.
I spent all day traipsing around not getting much, but shot a nice little scrub-wren at the end off the day. (Missed his/her tail though - grrr!).
It was worth it though Roger, beautiful shot, I love it.
Today , when we talked to the Ranger at Coolart, we talked about just that, I told him that the birds in my backyard seem to know me and follow me, and pose for me. He said , that is a fact, the birds in your garden know you, they recognize you, and know that you are not a threat. But when you go to a different area they are more careful.
(do I remember that correctly Roger, do you live in Marysville? we drove through there yesterday, coming back from the St Andrews market)
M-L
The poor Nankeen Kestrel I have been chasing is quite sick of me I think!
That's right, I live in Marysville, up towards the Steavenson Falls.
Forum Protocol
Further to my question about adding to posts, what section (if any) is the best place to start a discussion about photography of birds, (as opposed to photos of birds).
For example discussions about lens choice, tripods vs monopods, etc. (preferably not arguments - I know what Nikon and Canon devotees can get like). Would it go under general? Do you think there would be sufficient interest for Holly to consider it being a separate forum category?
Roger
I would start under General, see what happens? HaHa, I'm not one of those people, I have a Sony Camera and Sony Lenses.
M-L
I started with Olympus, but when I moved to DSLR, I had to decide on a brand that you can stick with, because lenses are a big investment. Sony are great (but I think they use too much atrificial sharpening).
Any way I might start a discussion under 'General' and see what happens. I'm still something of a newbie at this forum caper and don't want to get a smack!
Here's another photo from today, and its kind of a 'case in point'. Most of them were too blurry.
No tripod, hand-held, no light, 15th second 500mm lens, too hard!
Yep Roger, I do everything hand-held, no light. 70-400mm lens. (until my arm falls off!)
M-L
Yes Roger that sounds like a great idea as I was thinking how it could be done without a cat fight over brand names, but it appears the people on here are polite and intelligent enough to realise that we just want to improve our technique and learn from others so that the end result is pleasing and that it doesn't matter what camera or lens you are using if you are happy with the results than that's all that matters. I also would like to see some info about exposure, focal length etc. Also as you know some photos may not be the best but under the conditions that some are taken is a huge challenge for me anyway and can make an ordinary shot a little bit more special.
Regards Shane
Regards
Shane