Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Too close to gorgeous

Came upon this male Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) up a bit too close for 300mm lens and 1.4x converter yesterday.

So images are rather soft. And tongue was too quick. But gorgeous is gorgeous. Right?

Also found Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) twosome (male, left, chasing female) - seldom seen singly in Tyto; rarer still paired - feeding and squabbling among themselves and two Green Pygmy-geese (Nettapus pulchellus).

Easy at a distance (and more so in poor light) to confuse Cottons (front) and Greens (rear). Safest guide often pattern on birds' flanks.

And here's a surprise. Not! Birds Cottons turned up day after I advised visitors of their rarity in the wetlands. Almost enough to make one talk of lack of Dodos, in hope they'll magic into being just to prove one wrong!

Updates: Comb-crested Jacana still on four eggs. Shining Flycatchers still on ? eggs.


5 comments:

mick said...

Definitely gorgeous! Interesting photo too of the two kinds of Pygmy-geese.

Duncan said...

Tony, if I give up bird photography it will be all your fault. Went out yesterday and came home with one picture of a magpie.....

Mosura said...

Gorgeous? - Yes! Love the iridescent feathers in the first shot.

Tyto Tony said...

Thanks Mick. Good to get them close for comparison.

Hi Duncan: you're not alone in those sorts of days. If you really want to give up, try matching any of Ofer Levy's pix on BirdingOz.

Hi alan: Right! Can't beat gorgets for gorgeous.

Andy said...

What can I say? Another great set!

Some birds close to my heart of things

Home's where the heart is, close to home's where many of my birds are. Benefit of buying into retirement village surrounded by conse...