Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in action

Here are several cockatoo photos from yesterday. They trigger mixed emotions in me. On one hand I realize that some of them are quite OK, or even good; on the other I feel frustrated, because my camera is not capable of delivering the quality that I want. AF is always hit or miss, fast shutter speeds result in certain softness and if the object is more than 3 meters away AF is very rarely precise.

Now when I wrote all this, I think frustration dominates. I feel that I have missed a great photographic opportunity, because I was limited by my equipment...

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts

Buff-banded Rail portrait

Again this Friday I could spot a Rail and was lucky enough to have it stop and look at me for a second in the middle of a nicely lit spot and beautiful surroundings...

Buff-banded Rail, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts

Beautiful White Cockie

The red fruit this cockie was eating added beautiful colorful accent to the images...

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts

Juv. Ibis

More in-focus sharp and detailed images of a young Ibis.

Australian White Ibis, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts

Grey-headed Flying Foxes XXX

This is another interesting behavioral sequence. I'd rather not comment on the specific actions as it's extremely easy to slip into tasteless remarks. It really amazes me how Attenborough always finds the right balance when he talks about sex.

Grey-headed Flying Foxes, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts

Baby Rainbow Lorikeets

But, of course, from a photographer's point of view the most rewarding sequences were the beautiful images of cute Rainbow Lorikeet fledglings that I managed to take. I often hear the typical squeaky call of young Lorikeets, but this was the first time I saw baby parrots just out of the 'nest'.

For ten seconds the parent assessed the risk, decided there was none and then went on to feeding the youngster.

The scene was heart-warming, light was just right, sky was cloudy and the setting was beautiful.

There were two fledglings that could jump into the branches and climb up the tree trunk using their feet and beaks. The next images show how funny and cute they looked with their non-existent wings and tails.

Good luck, little parrots! Hope your primaries grow fast!!!

Rainbow Lorikeet youngsters, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts

Ibis youngsters

Another highlight of the day were the young Ibis chicks all at different stages of development. I like to see them with their (still clean) white feathers, fluffy heads and shorter beaks. They really look like cuter more innocent versions of their parents.

Some were practicing flight, doing funny aerobatic tricks in the air, others were begging their parents for food.

Young Australian White Ibis, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts

Buff-banded Rails made my day

I've been trying to spot Buff-banded Rails in Sydney Botanic Gardens for years. Even though they are considered common and 'least concern' they seem to be quite elusive and well-camouflaged. Yesterday I spent a few hours in the gardens and was lucky to finally manage to take several decent photos. A couple of Rails walked about foraging in the undergrowth and decided to pay very little attention to the man with the camera who was trying to hide behind a bush...

Buff-banded Rail, NSW

click on a photo to view hi-res image :: click on a label to open all related posts