When I arrived the sun was still low on the horizon, the shadows were long, and the light was golden. The only birds on the Point were some Terns and a group of Pelicans.
Soon after this the first vehicle drove out and the Terns flew off, but the Pelicans moved out of the way and then decided to stay at the edge of the water.
Pelicans breed in the outback when the rains and floods fill up the rivers and lakes out there. They have had 3 good years for this but now it has dried up again and we are seeing large numbers of pelicans here on the coast. I don't remember ever seeing this number of pelicans around the bay in the 10 years that I have lived here. I don't know if there are enough fish stocks for this many birds to survive around here. This photo shows pelicans on the shoreline, out on the sand island in the middle of the Strait, and as a distant white line on the other side of the bay. There is also a small speeding boat visible over there. (All photos enlarge when clicked on!)
On the way back to where I had parked the car there were lots of birds calling from the tops of the trees and deep inside the bushes. This White-cheeked Honeyeater stayed for long enough to let me get a quick photo - even if it was against the light!
I was trying to see what birds were fluttering back behind some bushes when this Eastern Yellow Robin put its head around a tree trunk - then flew off before I was quite ready!
I hope you are not tired of seeing photos of Red-backed Fairy-Wrens! I go for months without seeing any of these birds - so I am certainly not going to stop taking photos of them when they are so visible right now. The little male bird was hopping around down in the plants on the ground and then fluttered up to this dead bush where the female was waiting for him.
The shadows were so deep around the bush that it was hard to see anything - except the white front to the birds. I saw these ones and initially thought it was another female Fairy-Wren - but when I looked closer at the photo I saw these Red-browed Finches. It is not a clear photo but better than nothing!
What great birds Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI love the scenic shots of the coast and boats. And the birds are awesome, Mick! I could never be tired of seeing the cute Fairy Wrens. All the birds are pretty, including the pelicans. Great post and wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos especially the one of the robin.
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds and such a variety, Mick! Your captures are superb! Such a terrific post for the day!!
ReplyDeleteone bird cooler and cuter than the next! :)
ReplyDeleteLots of activity Mick! Terrific captures! Pelicans are one of my favourite birds, and the Fairy Wren is the sweetest birds I have seen! A beautiful colour as well!
ReplyDeleteThese are just great Mick. I love the picture of the two little birds "nuzzling" each other. I wonder about the pelicans and food and why there are so many this year...those things are so puzzling.
ReplyDeleteIn the top picture, the green boat looks like it is motoring through grass.
Brilliant photos! I do love the shot of the pelicans, but your others show some very cool birds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures from your corner of the world Mick ... and no! I never tire of seeing photos of delightful robins and fairy wrens.
ReplyDeletepelicans are such characters, and the wrens are sweet. I love going for beach walks - I haven't in a while - and should - so thank you for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week and thank you for stopping by my blog today. I hope you get to try quinces again soon.
AH! So some shorebirds are returning to your area. Here in Canada a few of the shorebirds have begun their trek south. Seems like it's too soon, but I know it's always this way. The seasons come and go so fast!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds!
ReplyDeleteMick, What struck me about this post and other is the vast areas you survey and how the birds are able to move not too far away but perhaps be out of sight to you? You have some interesting thoughts about the pelicans too - do the shallower waters make for easier fishing or lack of fish? Sorry to be a nuisance with my questions. Love your small but colourful bird pictures, the Fairy Wrens are just brill.
ReplyDeleteHi Phil, I think maybe next week I need to do a post about the numbers of birds these waters can support. For a quick answer - 3 years of rains in the outback have bred up huge numbers of waterbirds and now it has dried up so the birds are coming here to the coast. Having these numbers here is definitely changing the equilibrium of the bay - but I don't think anyone knows what will happen now and how long it will take. It's going to be interesting to watch and document some of the expected changes. My own observations and listening to local fishermen makes me think that fish stocks right here are never large! Some months ago I watched a large line of pelicans swimming across the bay and snatching up whatever moved ahead of them. There wouldn't have been much get passed them!
DeleteGorgeous shots, Mick! The Fairy Wrens are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteNeautiful birds! I love the yellow robin.
ReplyDeleteI think all of your birds are incredible!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any of them up here in the cold north of Europe!
Thanks for your comment, Mick! /Pia
well I'm glad you haven't stopped taking photos of the red-backed fairy wrens; I've never seen one for myself and they're fabulous aren't they?! Great photos, all
ReplyDeleteI'm never tired of any of your photos! Those are all beautiful birds. They are so unusual and full of color! You keep posting them:) The backlit shot is great. As for your comment on kayacking or canoing......yes....perhaps one of these days it will happen. Living in the desert has its drawbacks:)
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful! I am especially fond of Pelicans!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds. I like that yellow robin.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the pelicans.
ReplyDeleteThe other birds you have very well photographed, compliments.
Greetings Irma
Keep posting the Fairy Wrens - it reminds why I need to travel!
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to see the budgies - but I still want to see one of the big flocks!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW
Stewart M - Melbourne
Sorry for the pelican's plight they are such noble birds, but from their size look like they'd eat a lot of fish? Appreciate getting to see them close up. I can see why you can't resist the fairy-wrens. They're very endearing with their baby-like round heads. And your yellow breasted robin is entirely new to me--what a treat to know about them.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos. They're so vivid Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Wow Mick what a great collection. The red-backed fairy wren is a new one for me and I would dearly love to see one in person. We only have the New Holland Honeyeaters here so the White cheeked one was good to see too and the Red-browed Finches were a great catch too and also one that I had not seen before. Thanks for capturing them.
ReplyDeleteSo much color in you local birds! Driving on that tidal flat must be a bit dangerous.
ReplyDeleteAll are beautiful and yet I really enjoyed the Pelicans for this entry very much!
ReplyDeletewow. lots of sweet little birds and the light is gorgeous. A great morning. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful series of images, Mick!! I do love visiting your blog. I've been very slack with blogging since we returned home from up your way but after having knee surgery on Wednesday, I hope to be a little more active on here while I recuperate. It was wonderful meeting you.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mick, and superb photographs! It will be interesting to see what happens over time with the pressure of so many additional birds due to the inland drought. Birds are quite resourceful, unless we start interfering too much.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
Wow, your Robins, Wrens and Finches look nothing like the ones in my spot in the middle of the USA! Beautiful birds, great shots :)
ReplyDelete