Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Backyard Birds

Sometimes the nicest birds come right to my backyard. Yesterday I heard some interesting sounds from the big pine tree just over the fence. I found these two young Nankeen Kestrels demanding attention from their parents. One of the adults brought them some food and then did some fancy aerobatics overhead. The young birds were not all that steady on their perch and did a few shuffles and flutters before settling down to the important job of eating.

17 comments:

  1. Nice photos of these Kestrels. It would have been exciting to see these in your backyard. It's nice when Nature surrounds us without being scared of us.

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  2. Thanks NM. This is a great area for birds. We are surrounded by pine forests (commercial plantations) National Park and the sea so we are pretty lucky.

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  3. Hi Mick
    Fantastic photos.
    Great co-operation between these youngsters.
    Nice observation.
    Cheers
    Denis

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  4. Thanks Denis, it intrigued me too that one was holding the food but both were sharing it.

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  5. No squabbling? I'm sure they'll get over their good manners soon enough.

    Excellent pics.

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  6. Hi Snail, nice while it lasts, isn't it!

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  7. Great to have them up close. That chunk of meat looks very clean and tidy. Could it be purloined petfood?

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  8. WOW - those are lovely garden visitors Mick - similar to the UK Kestrels but much much more colourful. :D

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  9. Hi Tony, either that or else someone is giving them a handout!

    Hi Tricia, I don't usually see them down close like that - usually up high doing their amazing aerobatics.

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  10. G'day Mick,
    Great birds, great shots. Nice to have them come to you.
    Regards,
    Gouldiae

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  11. This made me say 'Wow!' Fantastic photos and what a 'catch'.
    Congratulations, Mick!

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  12. Very beautiful birds. Nice photos. :))) Nice to see birds from different areas.

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  13. Thanks Animtreebird.
    Thanks Nickolay too - I am slowly learning to manage this new camera!

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  14. Cute looking birds. Would like them to visit mine too although the magpie larks in my backyard are quite territorial and chased of a young kookaburra once or twice.

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