If at first you don't succeed...

Try, try again.

Its true of many things, but that old saying comes to mind today as I have once again been unable to get photos of the pair of Little Wattlebirds who have been courting each other in my gardens.

I spent about fourty minutes carefully stalking the pair around the prickly Grevillea Scarlet Sprite they were taking nectar from.

Realizing it was time to pack it in for the morning, I retreated to the kitchen to make a cuppa. While I waited for the kettle, the male perched on the faucet handle, and the female nearby him. Quickly, I picked up the camera and shot through the window. Dang! The shutter lag in my Kodak DX6490 failed me once again. Crumbs!

This afternoon when they return, I will just set up in the kitchen and try, try again.

Sticky Beak, by any name

The Eastern Spinebill, enjoying our ever popular Grevilliea Scarlet Sprite. Apparently this is THE nectar to get through the winter on. I have more shots which better illustrate this incredibly handsome fella, but I couldnt resist sharing these more candid shots with you.

More info: Eastern Spinebill at Birds in Backyards
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I frequently call the Spinebill a Nuthatch. This is a throwback to my days in my Country of Origin. Similarly, there are still times I find myself walking to the wrong side of the car. (Either to the drivers side when I am a passenger, or to the passengers side when I am driving).

Bonne Chance: Feral Redemption

Just after one evening meal with Bonne Chance, I returned inside and began doing the dishes. The only good thing about doing the dishes is I can look out the kitchen window while Im at it. From there I can see a small part of the garden, where a prickly Grevillia 'Scarlet Sprite' is planted.

This shrub is very popular with the birds, and lucky me, there was a White Plumed Honeyeater hovering about it, taking nectar from the flowers, as they do.

I was enjoying the show - wondering if it would last long enough for me to get the camera, when into this visions periphery, a low slung, fast moving, blur slunk in, and came to rest beneath the shrub.

I was out there in a heartbeat, and well timed it was. The honeyeater hovered, oblivious, just a foot and a half above the head of Bonne Chance, who was in prime position to pounce upward and claim his prize.

Just as his legs began to propel him, I clapped my hands sharply three times, adding a harsh verbal "NUH-UH!" for emphasis. Instantly the honeyeater took off to parts unknown.

Bonne Chance first landed awkwardly on the spiky shrub, wriggled his way off a stout branch, and then fell to the ground. There he proceeded to walk casually back to the sunny side of the garden and made every effort to pretend he had meant the whole thing to happen just exactly the way it did.

I, however, stood still, suddenly feeling sickly concerned about the lack of Little Wattle Bird sightings of late.


Getting ahold of my thoughts, I wandered over to my furry friend and at that invisible 'three foot mark', I crouched down, intent on having a deep and meaningful conversation.

I said "Hey Mate, I know its in your nature, but could you NOT do that HERE? I mean, you cant even be hungry after that dinner...(he yawned!!!)...I know! I know! Opportunity only knocks once, but Mate, the birds are friends of mine too."

Just then, a mob of Common 'Indian' Mynas came through, prompting me to add "Except that lot - you can have all of those you want!"

And thats when it suddenly dawned on me! Well, yes, but besides my being a complete hypocrite...

~~~ THE MOST AMAZING IDEA EVER! ~~~

I will make up a set of flash cards - Birdy Flash Cards! And I will instruct Bonne Chance....work with me here for a minute...For example: show him the Rainbow Lorikeet flash card and say "NO! Not yummy!" Then show him the Common 'Indian' Mynas flashcard and say "Go for it!" while simultaneously giving him a tasty little treat!

After I have him trained, he can help me recruit other feral cats. Together we will form a mighty Army of Ferals!

We will sweep across Australia wiping out non-indigineous birds thus reducing pressures on our native bird populations!

And One Great Day, Australia will no longer deride the Feral cat! But herald them as some of our Nation's great Heroes!

Little Wattle VS Noisy Minor

Who will win? Whoever gets the nectar first!

This knife wattle (Acacia Cultriformis) has proved very popular as a perch for birds resting between drinks at the spiny greville (Grevillea 'Scarlet Sprite').

Not just a perch, but also a battlefield for possession of this valuable food resource.

The Little Wattle Birds have to work so hard defending the two of these I have. Since they are so popular, I have found room for a couple more around the back.

In addition to the Noisy Minors, the Common Indian Myna has learned how to partake of this shrubs nectar, and in the last month or so we have had other pirate types too. I will work on some shots for you of the Eastern Spinebill and the White Plumed Honeyeater. I could use some wings of my own to keep up with them.