While walking this morning I was delighted to come across two very enamoured Rainbow Lorikeets that were going through what looked like a pretty complicated courting ritual. Particularly impressive was the tongue work from the male ( I presume) and it was accompanied by back arching and head bobbing - looked very athletic at times...... and the mating hadn't even got close to first base at this stage!
Then there was suddenly a third bird in the mix and different behaviours were performed.... all very cool until the third bird flew off after being given the cold shoulder and the first two started it all over again!!! I was pretty annoyed that I had exposure problems and couldn't get the best shots but the observation was worth the wait and I though I would post just a few of the shots I managed to get anyway.
Notre the tongue action in the nest shot!! You could see all the little hairs on the end of it.
I know I'd be impressed by these colours with the wing beating :') if I was a lady lorikeet
I finished my walk by going through the rainforest and had a Golden Whistler hang around for ages adn then fruitlessly spent 30 - 40 minutes stalking a rufous fantail in the palms and undergrowth but .... no shot of course.
