Monday, February 9, 2009

Bar-shouldered Dove

I am posting a photo of a Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis) which I photographed at Inskip Point a while ago. I frequently see these birds in this environment - both in the bush and also down at the edge of the sand. For more bird photographs see the Bird Photography Weekly.

15 comments:

  1. Thanks for your comments Tilcheff and Wisconsin Birder.

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  2. WOW! That is a cool looking Dove. Great shot!

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  3. Hi Mick
    Nice image.
    Looks odd to see a bush bird seemingly out on a sand bar.
    Is that why its called a Bar-shouldered Dove??? ;-)
    Cheers
    Denis

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  4. That's a beautiful dove... and you took a great picture of it!

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  5. Hi Denis, the dove was just at the edge of the sand underneath a bank with quite thick bush on it. It was pecking at things in among the tide debris at the edge of the sand.

    Hi Red, thanks for commenting too.

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  6. Mick, that is a lovely shot of a beautiful dove!

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  7. Nice capture of the Bar-shouldered Dove Mick! I love that gorgeous salmon colored back with the dark contrasting crescent markings. Beautiful!

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  8. Hi Mick
    This was reported from Newcastle (by a Canberra birdo)
    On 10/02/2009, at 12:36 PM, Kamprad wrote:
    On Sunday evening I had the privilege of seeing a great mass (possibly 10,000) of migrating shore birds from the sandbar on the western side of Stockton Bridge in Newcastle. The majority flew in flocks of up to 3,000 above the water seemingly looking for a place to roost. Some were to land on the small strip of sandy mudflat. When I arrived at 7:00 pm (high tide due at 9:09 pm) Eastern Curlews, a Whimbrel or 2 , Black-winged Stilts and Red-necked Avocets (stunning birds) had joined Pelicans, White-faced Herons, Masked Lapwings, Red-capped Dotterels, a Little Egret and 5 Gull-billed Terns with a begging juv. In the last of the light around 8:30pm Bar-tailed Godwits began to drop from the swirling flocks as they passed by. A few of the Bar-tailed Godwits were in breeding plumage. I did spy 6 Curlew Sandpipers and one Black-tailed Godwit on the sand bar before I had to give up for poor light for humans about 8:45pm. I wonder what other bird species were accompanying the godwits.
    There had been only myself and a few fishermen to observe this spectacular of nature.
    I did think of the work being done by the Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC) to try to preserve a place for migrating birds as the Newcastle coal loading facilities are being extended. The HBOC website shows a survey of wading birds was planned for the Saturday.
    Julienne
    .
    So get your knee better, and launch your Kayak, and keep your eyes open - the birds are on the move - northwards.
    .
    Cheers
    Denis

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  9. Thanks for your comments, Bob and Cynthia, Larry, and Denis. Yes, Denis, I know the northward migration will start soon. One of the 'counters' from here saw a Godwit in almost full breeding plumage a week or two ago. I want to be out there photographing them! Any idea where I can get a new knee???? Quickly!!!

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  10. Several titanium knees on market. Some don't last two years. Orthopaedic surgeons may not tell you this. Thus the saying, B's' knees! ;-)

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  11. Hi Tony, I want a 'real' strong knee - I might even have to get a push-bike to get it strong again :-)

    Thanks for your comment Sparverius

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