Sunday, August 30, 2009

Inskip 2 - the Fun!

I know I have posted photos of Rainbow Bee-eaters before but they are such beautiful birds...
...and every now and again you get lucky and photograph something you haven't seen before. While I was watching and photographing yesterday this bird flew up and caught a butterfly then came down to a branch just above me to eat it. Unfortunately this put it against the strong light - but it was worth a few shots and then later a bit of post-processing to lighten them up a bit. The bird had trouble getting the butterfly ready to swallow and at one stage even hit it on the branch a few times.Thanks to Neil for identifying the butterfly as a Meadow Argus.
Earlier in the morning the fog was quite thick and still rolling over Inskip Point and out to sea. This photo was taken with the fog all around. The bird on the left is a juvenile without long tail shafts and with feathers that still look rather fluffy.
This post is for Bird Photography Weekly.
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17 comments:

  1. NeilAugust 30, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    Hi Mick love the Bee-eaters lucky to get the young one. The Butterfly is a Meadow Argus.Not sure about eating one though not much in them.

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  2. mickAugust 30, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    Thanks Neil, I shall amend the blog.

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  3. Tyto TonyAugust 30, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    Nice series. Bee-eaters often give prey many a branch bash, to get rid of stings (hurtful) and wings (untasty).

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  4. mickAugust 30, 2009 at 5:49 PM

    Hi Tony, that's very interesting and something I didn't know - thanks!

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  5. Midmarsh JohnAugust 31, 2009 at 1:32 AM

    Well captured with the series of shots of the poor old butterfly's early demise.

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  6. gwenAugust 31, 2009 at 2:11 AM

    Not every day that you get to see and photograph a bee-eater kill. Well done. :)

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  7. BirdingMaineAugust 31, 2009 at 3:30 AM

    Awesome photos and spectacular birds!

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  8. mickAugust 31, 2009 at 5:08 AM

    Hi John, I guess the birds have to eat.
    Thanks Gwendolen. Its great how many special moments a good fast camera lens picks up.
    Thanks BirdingMaine.

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  9. Rambling WoodsAugust 31, 2009 at 6:01 AM

    Wow..what a treat Mick. Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time... You have some wonderful areas to bird in... Thank you for visiting my sunbathing chickadee...Michelle...

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  10. mickAugust 31, 2009 at 9:18 AM

    Thanks for visiting Rambling Woods.

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  11. Bob KaufmanAugust 31, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    Hey, Mick, the first photo of the bee-eater with the butterfly is just excellent! The others are, too, but that one really stands out.

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  12. LarryAugust 31, 2009 at 11:01 AM

    Hey Mick, as far as I'm concerned, you can post as many Rainbow Bee-eaters as you like! They are gorgeous birds and you have captured the action so well.

    I must say the enlarged version of the second (portrait) shot is incredible!

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  13. KellyAugust 31, 2009 at 12:22 PM

    Spectacular! We, of course, do not have these birds in Cincinnati, and I love every chance I get to see photos of one. They are beautiful. Your heart must have been thumping when then butterfly flew into reach and he nabbed it! Cool...

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  14. mickAugust 31, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    Thanks for your comments Bob and Cynthia, Larry, and Kelly. Its always fun to see a variety of birds from around the world in BPW.

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2009 at 5:16 PM

    I love to see these rainbow bee-eaters again - I saw them once at the parklands. So colourful. Great action shots of the one eating a butterfly.

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  16. mickSeptember 1, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    Thanks Madahmas

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  17. ArijaSeptember 2, 2009 at 12:01 AM

    Mick. what marvellous captures!
    A lovely portrait shot as well as the butterfly captures.
    I have seen a Bee-eater as far south as our farm near Mt.Pleasant S.A.

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