Friday, August 24, 2007

Little Wattlebird's "Hummingbird Maneuver"

Im still trying to get a good shot of the Little Wattle birds. Shooting through my kitchen window, Im not going to get the good crisp shot Im after. So I will have to go back to carefully stalking them in the garden. But I did get these pretty cool shots of Mr Little Wattle bird doing what I have dubbed "The Hummingbird Maneuver".













This cant be easy for him, he is 26-30cm long (10-12 inches). Thats pretty big to be hovering. The nectar in this Grevillea Scarlett Sprite must have a very high energy content, otherwise it wouldnt be worth the effort it takes to gather it with this method. He does spend most of his time tasting the blossoms from the ground or branches. But once those flowers are empty, a change of tactics is in order.

Another interesting thing about these birds is, although they are nectivores (nectar eaters), each evening I see them chasing insects like a swallow does. So they are also insectivores, at least part time!

I will try to be out early for stalking on saturday morning - Im nothing it not determined. Have a great day!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

VERY cool shots Lavender!!!!Artistically it's best for 'movement' to show fuzz ha-ha! I called those flowers 'Spider Flowers' when a kid and scared my sisters with them. They have a threatening look of being giant red spider legs!
};-} OH .... our Reds eat meat ... even sausages after they raised a Cuckoo one year ... I do think the wattle bird society need to change their dietary preferences!

Lavender said...

Now that you mention it - they do look spiderish - egads! Since you know the shrub, you will remember how prickly they are....tehehehe...I confess I planted it next to the water service to get my vengance on the meter reader!!! Bwahahaha!!!

I think if I was stalking your Red Wattle Birds, I might be more careful than I am with these - seeing as the Reds have that whole carnivore thing going hehehe

Anonymous said...

Ha-ha to the water serviceman! The Red Wattle's aren't 'little' either Lavender! One almost took the top of my head yesterday ... SEE stalking produces results!!

Lavender said...

So, youve kept your head then? Good for you! Tehehe
Saw magpies swooping pedestrians this morning - Spring must be here now!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely shot. There is one that visits my flowers the same time each day. I love hummingbirds.

Peter Bryenton said...

Good to see someone having fun with a camera. You seem to have a knack for capturing the right moment.

Lavender said...

Opal I love hummers! I rather miss them too, I used to grow many plants for them when I lived North of the Equator - they always especially loved Monarda, and the best of all the Monarda's for hummer is Gardenview Scarlett! A great hummer attracting plant - or tea! :)

Focus Finder Nice to meet you, and Thank you very much. Your avatar is very cool, by the way. Im always after that perfect moment for a shot, but if the perfect moment wont present itself, I shoot anyway! hahaha

Omega Mum said...

Love the pictures. Beats the boring old monochrome, definitely not humming bird life we get in the UK.

Lavender said...

Thanks Omega Mom!

Anonymous said...

Please let us know I your stalking was successful! Looking forward for more pictures!

Lavender said...

Hi Eliot! Mr Little Wattle brrd thwarted my plans this morning by staying up in the top of the gum tree - he definately does not appreciate my efforts - but I will keep trying!! Thanks for stopping by, sorry I dont have more pics for you today.

Anonymous said...

I think I may have had a successful Wattlebird stalk today Lavender! Hope I'm not talking too soon - haven't checked the photos yet. HOWEVER - they DO know you are there and 'play' with the fact you either do or don't have a camera. Today has convinced me with NO doubt!!

Lavender said...

Oh you are so NOT KIDDING about them knowing if you have a camera or not - I swear they are mocking me as they fly away!!!
Fingers crossed for your pics today Anon! I almost had my Little ones today - the shots I got today arent great - interesting but not great - you'll see them soon.
They have thier little one fledged already!

Anonymous said...

How exciting about their little one! (I still haven't checked mine yet) I was hoping the egg hatched here today but no sounds as yet ...

Lavender said...

Its as big as they are Hehehe Will keep fingers crossed for your pics!