We all know that Noisy Miners are sociable, brave, territorial and aggressive. But how brave exactly? Photos like this one show something more than the standard 'squeak! squeak!'-and-fly-away behavior. This little bird was chasing two big Ravens high in the sky and for a long distance. I can only speculate on whether the Ravens had previously threatened or raided Noisy M's nest, but it is a fact that agility, braveness and support among family/community members make them a very successful species.
Noisy Miner attacking a pair of Australian Ravens, NSW
I wish I had more time to just watch the sky with a camera in hands. A lot of interesting action is going on there all the time. I also wish this image had less noise. Tried to remove some of it, but with very limited success...
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Specialized tools and adaptations that animals develop over millennia can be amazing. This time I would like to point readers' attention towards Flying Foxes feet. Direction and shape of those feet and claws serve its purpose so well. I wonder if they were evolving simultaneously with all the other elements or started to shape and change after the bat was able to fly well...
Flying Foxes, NSW
above: Baby Blackbird, Tasmania
above: Blackbird, Tasmania
above: Male Superb Blue Wren, NSW
Noisy Miner attacking a pair of Australian Ravens, NSW
Many years ago, here at PoAA, Fridays used to be Duck Days. I realized that I haven't posted duck photos for a very long time and decided to correct this awful mistake today. Happy Duckday to everyone!
above (top to bottom) : Australian Wood Duck (female in flight), male Chestnut Teal, female Chestnut Teal, Australian Shoveler, male Australian Wood Duck, Mallard, photographed in Tasmania and NSW
and some relatives too. Quack! Quack!
Eastern Water Dragon, NSW
The White Cockatoos were having a lot of fun high up in the branches. The camera, on the contrary, was struggling to cope with the extreme contrasts. They are a bit too much even for this good and fairly big CMOS sensor. Cloudy days seem to be more suitable for photographing these awesome parrots.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, NSW
Laughing Kookaburra in flight, NSW
