I was up at the Sunshine Coast and near where I was staying is a good spot for a sighting of the Eastern Ground Parrot, which I didn't get to see or hear unfortuneately. While I was there I saw quite a few of these Honeyeaters which look quite stunning in real life and I had never seen them before so it turned out to be a good day afterall.
You should have had a seeing-bird dog with you.
Sorry that was in another thread wasn't it.
good pics, they are a great bird
Peter
Actually that might have been a good way of flushing one out of the wallum heath Peter. I read about a guy who had one fly up out of the heath and circle around before disappearing back to the heath again and that was in August this year. I f you are ever up that way Peter just drive down to the end of Woodland Drive at Peregian Beach and walk down where the car tracks lead you and these Honeyeaters were quite common, which surprised me as I have not seen them before.
Regards
Shane
Great shots they are quite similar to the New Holland arent they. Love the close up it is an awesome shot. Sorry to hear you didnt get what you were after but there is always next time.
That is exactly right Cath and Shane, there is next time. At first I thought they were The New Hollands that is how similar they look. If I ever get to see the Ground Parrot then the thrill will be even greater and I f I get a photo of one i'll need an ambulance. But if I don't try then it will never happen.
Regards
Shane
I should add to this that this bird held this insect it its' beak for about 40 mins until the young arrived to be fed, I did have a photo of this somewhere??
Regards
Shane
They were everywhere down at Coolum when I went looking for Rainbow Bee-eaters, so they must be quite wide spread in that area at the moment.
Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Haha, 40 minutes, I was wondering what happened to the legs? There are less in every photo.
And what ? The young came home to feed? Just like in my life, they come to feed, to use our tools, and...... it never ends.
BTW, nice photos.
M-L
Karl i did see a lot of them as well, just a matter of waiting till they got closer so i could capture them with the 300mm lens.
M-L i would not have waited that long for the youngsters to show up, i think it must have been an instinct as the young ones looked to be about the same size as the adults and capable of feeding themselves. I am not sure if birds do this like some human Mothers that fuss over their grown up children, when they don't require it.
Regards
Shane
Gorgeous photos clif2, the insect shots are lovely.
Can I make you REALLY jealous? I have held a ground parrot in my hot little hand
I helped with some banding at Barren Grounds and was able to release one. One of the absolute highlights of my birding experiences.
Wow Holly, you make me envious not jealous, it would be an occassion for seeing its' beauty and the fact you are holding a very rare or rarely seen creature. Pure Delight.
Regards
Shane
You certainly have bragging rights there, Holly.
Shane, I've observed adult New Holland honeyeaters refusing to reward the beggings of their offspring once the offspring are capable of feeding themselves. I interpret this as the parents teaching their kids to become independent. A lesson there for human parents I would think.