Late to the party ... Sharon's first attempt

[shazdwn]

125) Green-backed Gerygone - East Point Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 19/05/2020

 

Male and female - an odd pose I know but these birds would not stop moving!

[shazdwn]

126) Australasian Grebe - Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 19/05/2020

[shazdwn]

127) Comb-crested Jacana - Knuckey Lagoon, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 19/05/2020

 

I will probably get better shots of this species later in the year, but I'm too impatient to wait until then to post it.

 

[shazdwn]

4 minutes ago, Soukous said:

Your tally is growing nicely @shazdwn, and all near home. 

 

Thanks @Soukous. I am discovering some new local species and birding spots doing this - my aim was to get 100 species from around Darwin (the first 35 species are from Victoria in southern Australia) but I know now I will go over that now (still some common ones I haven't got a decent shot of yet) - so my new aim  is to reach 200 species from the Northern Territory, now that we are able to travel a bit further again (but not yet interstate).

Edited May 19, 2020 by shazdwn

[PeterHG]

Some interesting new additions again, @shazdwn. It must be feel good to be able to travel a little again and set your aim higher than before. You can tell by the Gerygone couple what a prolonged quarantine  can do for relationships

Edited May 19, 2020 by PeterHG

[shazdwn]

12 minutes ago, PeterHG said:

Some interseting new additions again, @shazdwn. It must be feel good to be able to travel a little again and set your aim higher than before. 

Peter indeed it does. 
 

13 minutes ago, PeterHG said:

 You can tell by the Gerygone couple what a prolonged quarantine  can do for relationships

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Galana]

3 hours ago, PeterHG said:

You can tell by the Gerygone couple what a prolonged quarantine  can do for relationships

Some would say it does not need a quarantine. A couple of wrong words can spark it off some times.

Oops. Not to mention inadvertent lack of praise.

Great photos!

Edited May 19, 2020 by Galana

[shazdwn]

Ok so I have a question. What are people’s thoughts on camouflage lens covers? 
 

Late last year I invested in a 400mm prime lens which I love, but which is very large and very white. I do wonder if this scares the birds at all? And if so whether a cover would make any difference? I have noticed the birds often get spooked when I raise the lens, but that is likely to be as much the movement as anything. Anyway would love to hear your opinions. Thanks 

[shazdwn]

The last couple of months I have been working out of a different office doing COVID-19 response.  Every day I have seen a bird species that I have yet to get a shot of for my BY.  Today was my last full day in this place so I decided it was time to take my camera with me.  The weather did not co-operate so the ISO is higher than I would like, but I got the bird - and it was having breakfast.

 

128) Pied Butcherbird - Hidden Valley, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

 

[Galana]

6 hours ago, shazdwn said:

What are people’s thoughts on camouflage lens covers? 

Not being personally troubled by this my only reaction is 'it can't do any harm'.

Birds do see movement. That is a given so even raising my small bridge, and sometimes I sense the 'focus assist' light blinking, is seen by all wildlife.

So a bright shiny White lens will be more visible and may even reflect sunlight as a 'flash'. so why not cover it and eliminate the possibility? It's not as though a cammo cover costs a fortune is it?

 

Years ago when I used Minolta SLR I needed a new body so spoke to them. "Did I want black or white?" Huh?

"Well sir, the white is more bland and the chrome trim on the black body can catch the sunlight and scare wildlife we are told!"

 

 

Well done on the Butcherbird.

[xelas]

11 hours ago, shazdwn said:

What are people’s thoughts on camouflage lens covers? 

 

I used it, but mostly as an added protection to the lens, both against bumps and rain. Plus, on hot sun (my lens is black) it keeps the lens cooler. Also, I have a better feeling when I need to put the lens on something like rock or branch or car window for support.

[Soukous]

12 hours ago, shazdwn said:

What are people’s thoughts on camouflage lens covers?

 

I thought they were just so that Canon users didn't have to feel embarrassed in public. 

[Galana]

57 minutes ago, Soukous said:

Canon users didn't have to feel embarrassed in public. 

Now now! Actually I don't think I would be comfortable with any lens coloured white. Just so not me at all!

[Peter Connan]

I have a camouflaged lens coat on my 500. I wanted black, but it wasn't available here. Like Alex, I just wanted it for extra protection.

 

I have not noticed the birds behaving differently, but I use the other brand, so it's not white under the camo.

 

I think they see the movement, not the colour.

[shazdwn]

Thanks for the responses to my question everyone.

 

After three birding outings this weekend I only have two new species to add - both LBJ's.  But I'm ok with that.

 

129) Large-billed Gerygone - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 24/05/2020

[shazdwn]

130) Australasian Pipit - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 24/05/2020

[shazdwn]

131) Zitting Cisticola - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 30/5/2020

[shazdwn]

132) Pacific Swift - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 30/5/2020

 

According to the local birders this bird is a regular visitor over summer but a late May sighting is quite unusual - so I am going with it despite the extreme crop required.

[shazdwn]

133) Tree Martin - Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 31/5/2020

[shazdwn]

And now a repeat - I came across the largest flock of these red-tailed black cockatoos that I have ever seen this morning.  Must have been over a hundred of them, it was a pretty amazing sight.

 

[PeterHG]

That flock of  cockatoos must have been impressive! And noisy, too, probably? I did not realize the Zitting Cisticola had such an extensive range. Very nice additions!

[shazdwn]

3 hours ago, PeterHG said:

That flock of  cockatoos must have been impressive! And noisy, too, probably? 

Yes & yes

[shazdwn]

134) Osprey - Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 6/6/2020

[shazdwn]

This one marks the target I set for myself of 100 species from the Darwin area.  I might have hoped for a more impressive species to mark the occasion, but not to be.  Actually this species has proven remarkably difficult to get a half way decent picture of.

 

135) Torresian Crow - Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia - 7/6/2020

[Tdgraves]

Congratulations on your maiden century