But the world did change a lot. And I changed a lot too. One thing is certain: I'm allowed to play with bigger and better cameras now. Everything else is probably worse.
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.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, NSW
Buff-banded Rail, NSW
The red fruit this cockie was eating added beautiful colorful accent to the images...
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, NSW
More in-focus sharp and detailed images of a young Ibis.
Australian White Ibis, NSW
Grey-headed Flying Foxes, NSW
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
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
