I couldn't help myself, I went out again this morning. The sky was better, but it was totally blue to the east, where the sun was, and the south, and had streaky white cloud to the west, where the birds were coming from. You can't see the cloud in the photos, but they were there and I'm still having trouble getting the right exposure. I found a better place to park so I could see the nest. The birds don't seem to mind a parked car when there are other cars and trucks going past. I stay inside the car so I don't upset them.
And just for a change, I took this photo of a dragonfly eating a fly when the birds weren't around
Kim, you are THE BEST of THE BEST, taking photos of BOP. There is nothing I could add,the photos speak for themselves, just, that I admire your ability to produce fantastic photos, again and again.
M-L
Fabulous pics. Wish I could get birds and dragonflies like this.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Thanks so much.
Araminta, I think I'll keep your comment and look at it when I need cheering up. But seriously, anyone could do the same as I do: you just have to find the birds, then sit twisted sideways in the passenger seat of the car for two and a half hours, sweating and swatting flies and waiting for those 2 second opportunities.
Oh I forgot to say, did you see the ones I posted yesterday? The exposure is very bad, but they show that the birds carry the sticks with their feet as well as their beaks.
I have to keep trying to find new and different things to photograph, so people don't get bored with so many BOP photos from me.
AMAZING photos, keep them coming :) Love the dragonfly pic also - I'm quite fascinated by them. On my NT trip I loved seeing how many different colours / sizes / hunting styles there were. We don't get as many down here in Tas.
I'll never tire of BOP photos. I've become quite addicted to the White-phase Grey Goshawks and Peregrine Falcons around my place. Only problem with the peregrines is that all my sightings are so fleeting. I've found a place where they seem to hunt Starlings every night - 3/3 sightings there so far at dusk, but there's a pair that also fly past / hunt around my place and I saw a female fly past my balcony with what I suspect was a Green Rosella in her talons last week. I'm gradually trying to pin down where they roost / nest. Again though, so fleeting! They're ridiculously fast and don't stay anywhere for long when flying...
Anyways, enough about my frustrations, thanks again for posting these awesome photos, and do keep sharing :)
Cheers,
Scott.
Hi Scott
Thanks for sharing your story. I'd love to see any photos you get of either white phase grey goshawks or peregrine falcons. I've never seen either. I've seen the grey phase grey goshawks around here a couple of times but not often enough!
We went to Tassie in Jan and had a great time. I loved watching the kelp gulls and Pacific gulls soaring around the coast near Taranna.
Guess what? This morning a grey phase grey goshawk landed in one of our gum trees but was chased off by noisy miners. And last week while I was hanging out the washing a juvenile white-bellied sea eagle flew over then a whistling kite flew into a tree in the next street. And last Friday a BOP was flying over the local shopping centre. And last Saturday a nankeen kestrel flew over my son's sport's field.They're everywhere! Lucky me!!
You are lucky. I get crows, crows, and more crows. I heard a budgie out there yesterday. It won't last long.
Karen
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Well you certainly have done it again... nobody is going to tire of seeing good shots of such a lovely BOP. And it is always interesting to hear the story that accompanies the shots and the fact that you are making observations about their behaviour ( such as carrying sticks with their talons aswel as their beak. I was amazed at the beach a few months ago to see the Osprey carrying a huge lump of driftwood in its talons , I dont think I posted it as it was not sharp , maybe only on FB can't remember.
Message Akos to get advice on shooting BOPs , he has great and sensible advice on where to position yourself relating to the light etc.
I really like the 3rd shot with the classic V shape and the eye showing etc
Well done indeed!!!
Cheers
Adrienne
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Amazing series of shots yet again Birdgirl :) So clear and so much detail!
They certainly aren't 'neat' nest builders are they?