Its Monday so that means it is bird of the week time again.
Ok so I have to confess I have a couple of motivations for choosing the Superb Fairy-wren this week:
- Well they are just so gosh darn cute
Most of you know they are my favourite bird so I had to make them a focus at some stage early on 
- And the alterior motive - We (BIBY and BirdLife) are working with Connies to have a series of swap cards made featuring Australian birds. Whilst I would have loved an entire series on backyard birds, I just couldn't afford it but we will have two - the Powerful Owl for our Powerful Owl project and also the Superb Fairy-wren - chosen because they are a small bird - so one of the ones that we particularly want people to create habitat for as they are less common than they used to be and also because they are incredibly engaging. People love to love them. So for this card I need either 2 high res images (one of an adult male and one of a female/juvenile - brown bird) or one shot that has both of them in it.
This week isn't a competition though - I am not looking for the 'best photo' - but it would be great if any of you had images of Superb Fairy-wrens that you would allow us to use (and please don't take offense if you post an image for us and I go with something else, it will just be the right shot for the card). Please share all the different Superb Fairy-wren shots you want (I personally love the eclipse plumage ones - when the boys are looking all mottly).
I will be getting 2500 of each of the cards (the SFW and Powerful Owl) so I will be more than happy to send a few out to any BIBY members who would like them and they will be used for education - in school packages etc.
So lets see some shots of these gorgeous little birds - and share your stories...
Like most I have many Superb fairy-wren pics.
I like these two for the bird's pose. Same bird who moved to allow me a pic of his other side.
Peter
M-L
Great photos!
this isn't fair,Araminta will "win" for sure :p
What fantastic shots M-L. How can we match these ???
Matt
Sadly this is one species I hardly point my lens at.
See how these are....
As for Powerful Owls....well..... I have lots of photos of them.
I see a lot of these birds around, but I do not have a single good photo of one :-(
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
You are the King of Powerful Owls though Akos
M-L your photos are simply stunning! Remember guys it isn't a competition though, I LOVE SFW's so want to see any shots you have. It may even inspire me to finally finish my 3 thesis papers I am yet to submit on them...
Everyones shots are so great. These are one of my favorite little birds. I never tire of pointing my camera at them. Although i get more bad shots than good shots. Ours were taken at Phillip Island.
I'm afraid mine aren't as close as Araminta's (I have lens envy... I think) but here are some of mine, taken at home.
And a friend at another forum couldn't resist playing with this image:
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Here are some of mine, I know I have better ones somewhere, but where mmm. Some of these I have shown before and one I altered the composition on Windhovers advice and feel it is better this way.
Regards
Shane
female with fly:
first day out
sorry, no tail
(I can only get to my better photos next week, when I get my new computer)
M-L
Better photos M-L? These are lovely.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Couldn't resist to upload some more. A little variety though.
And the one with tail
Gorgeous Nahar. The bird I mean.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Absolutely beautiful photos everyone. Nahar, is there something wrong with the males toe? or was there something stuck on it? or maybe it's just me?? I especially love the second photo
Nahar I love that middle shot - it made me laugh
Everyone is just posting some gorgeous shots!
Nahar your shots are lovely, i too adore the second one. Very cute shots. I wonder who one in the end.
Shane your 2nd shot is great. Scrawny little buggers arent they.
Kathie nothing to be envious about your shots are lovely, especially like the one of her trilling its beautiful.
Got this little guy a while ago at the western treatment plant.
Cheers, Owen.
Thanks Cath and Shane. I do get a lot of enjoyment through bird photography. It's probably the quietest times in my otherwise busy and hectic life.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Great photo Owen. It looks like a painting!
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
"superb" shots! I have fairy wren envy! :-(
Very good observation Jfiess. I had another look at the original at 100% view. It seems like some tumour. Do we have any there any vet around??
Thanks to all for the compliments, we are seeing some fantastic shots.
Some excellent shots so far. M-L you must teach us all how to take such wonderful shots. Here's my contribution. I'm pretty sure that both were taken at Woodlands Historic Park which is just north of Melbourne Airport.
Cheers,
George
Melbourne, VIC
Beautiful shots everyone.
George yours are wonderful in their own right. I really need to get back to Woodlands to have another crack at the Red-capped Robins.
Cheers, Owen.
Here's one in its natural habitat.
Apart from the horrible Cocksfoot grass, of course.
Beautiful shots everyone - a fabulous bird of the week I think.
I have sent the link to the guys putting together the Connies swapcard so they can see what will fit best. New Bird of the Week coming shortly
Don't know how we can top that one...