I often see Rainbow Bee-eaters
(Merops ornatus) when I am out at Inskip. These photos were taken in different amounts of light and shade and the plumage seemed to take on different colors.
All photos enlarge when clicked on. 
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Hi Mick
ReplyDeleteThe angle of the light causes the green and blue colours to change their appearance.
I have noticed the same with Sacred Kingfishers - sometimes green, sometimes almost royal blue.
Lovely images, and one of my favourite birds.
I never get them here - but they were common around Canberra.
Just one of the things one misses out on when moving.
Denis
Hi Denis, thanks for your comment. Interesting about the light causing those changes. I think these birds are beautiful in any light! Yes, I would miss them too if I moved away.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos again love all the colours.
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick: Best seen, but hard to position, from slightly above. They seem to have stayed around up this way with the very mild 'winter'.
ReplyDeleteCould I also suggest, without wishing in any way to set myself up as a worthy example, that you give the birds a touch more air when you crop them.
Hi Tony, thanks for the suggestion. I shall try that next time. Re seeing them from above - wish I could! I've only ever seen them high up in the trees.
ReplyDeleteYou make me wanna hop in the next plane with showing off these Beauties (also all the migrants and the Whistling Kites).
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
Hi Nicole, we love tourists out here and the birds are especially good right now!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds Mick and you captured the iridescence of the feathers so well.
ReplyDeleteLove these beautiful and colorful birds, great captures.
ReplyDeleteI saw bee-eaters when I visited Camargue. Not this one though. I really enjoyed seeing them catching insects. And the color is likely to change a bit due to light.
ReplyDeleteI don´t know. You usually visit me early. If you did and came to last weeks post it is because I fogot to label the new one. Here is this weeks entry:
http://nfbird.blogspot.com/2010/09/beautiful-experience.html
What gorgeous colouring on the head.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Phil, Eileen, NatureFootstep, and John.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the colors of the bee-eaters? We have two species here (Blue-tailed and Blue-throated) and both of them also show off different color shades depending on the light.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Mick!
Bee-eaters are a family of birds I can't wait to see one day. I love their colors and shapes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Idaho Birder and Bob. The bee-eaters over your way sound lovely , Bob. It would sure be nice to see them.
ReplyDeleteWow! These little guys are beautiful. How lucky you can see them every day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Halcyon
ReplyDeleteDo they really eat bees? Wonderful looking bird.
ReplyDeleteHi April, I've seen them catch all sorts of insects and even butterflies on the wing.
ReplyDeleteIncredible shots of the Rainbow Bee-eaters Mick! They are so colorful, I would love to see them in action.
ReplyDeletewonderful colorful birds.
ReplyDelete