Monday, December 3, 2007

Hello, Chicky Bird!


Heard a Little Wattle Bird scolding someone outside. And he sounded close to the house, so you know what I did, I grabbed the camera. Soon found him, on the railing outside the back sliding glass door. And who was he scolding? My two cats Aurora & Priapus, who were eyeing him with less than noble intentions.

Its hard to tell the chicks from thier parents now, I can only use behaviour as my guide. I know this is one of the chicks for two reasons. First, his parents learned long ago that a cat behind glass is no threat, and secondly, look how nice and calmly he sits when I show up with a camera. Good to see you, Chicky bird!

11 comments:

Lavender said...

The whole Little Wattle Bird family is still around, but this last week the goings been tough, due to competition for the territory with pesky introduced species - Common Myna & Starlings - who have fledged young recently.
I hope the invaders disperse soon!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant shot Lavender! Chicky bird is almost made of finely woven lace - beautiful feather definition! It's wonderful you can still keep an eye on the family too :) We have been getting unwanted visitors more than I can remember ever happening before! Are the invaders suffering from the heat? Lack of food and water? There really is a difference in their numbers!

Lavender said...

Hi Anon! Thanks very much! They arent our most colourful bird, but still so beautiful!
Im glad you said that about the unwanted visitors, Im really swamped with them here, and actually am beginning to wonder if they are going to overwhelm the natives.
The starling pair has 8 chicks!!! The two Myna pairs made thier nests - one in a neighbors garage, and the other in another neighbors wall cavity....I wish there was something I could do to help my native friends fight them off.
Must say that I didnt grow this garden to feed the mynas and starlings, Harumpf!!

BetteJo said...

Nice to see the wattle family are still there. I'd hate to see them get chased off!

Anonymous said...

Oooh try to photograph the Starling chicks for me - just to rule them out for Mini ;) I run towards the invaders flapping my arms and calling "WHAAA!"; some sort of mean monster bird I suppose HAHA :)

Unknown said...

I'm happy to see the little bird, I was sad when they flew the nest so soon.

Where is Bungie Sunday? Are they still naked?

Lavender said...

BetteJo Im so hoping they can prevail and keep my gardens for themselves - fingers and toes crossed!!!!!

Anon Tehehe Ive tried a few times just for you! Never get close enough for a shot that isnt totally unhelpful....and whats worse is from the distance, the babies all look alike - myna OR starling- its maddening I tell ya! (But will be trying again!)

Pawhealer I really didnt know what to do with myself after they left the nest - its very good they are still around - and obviously remember the camera! LOL
The budgies are looking much better, and starting to behave like thier old selves again - so this week will bring the camera down and see what happens - fingers crossed!

Anonymous said...

I just want to repeat I love this photo! They are beautiful birds too!! Don't stress too much about Starlings, I know how difficult it is to photograph birds, especially babies! Hhehee.

Lavender said...

Anon Thank you! Hooray! :)
Will have another go at getting those starling babies for comparison, Im determined to get them! Tehehehe

Sharon said...

The Blue Jays here do the same thing. When I hear them making a racous outside I always run out to see what they've found... once it was a snake in my backyard!

Lavender said...

Sharon Oh the Blue Jays were some of my fave birds, so beautiful! Yipper, birds dont like snakes one bit - and although I appreciate the job snakes do, Im not very fond of them :) Heres hoping when snakes are about, our feathered friends are always around to warn us! :)