Les Imgrund

. ----- Zebra Finch ----- . Dad was very fond of Finches.  He spoke with me on a couple of occasions about them but we never kept any while I was growing up (still don't) so this was quite a peculiar find.  We were helping mum pack her house (as we say) and we heard a call that was not usual for her location.  Being the good "birder" that I am, I sat there listening to it without moving and wondering what it was not believing it would still be there when I got outside with a camera.  But, it was.  I was blown away with the size of the male and fascinated by its call.  All in one moment I realised why dad spoke so highly of them.  Not supposed to be where we  were which could mean anything.  I wonder... . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #kings_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Bar-tailed Godwit ----- . A stretch and a jump into the air.  Mid morning.  High sun.  Lots of glare.  But, if we see it, we should probably photograph it.  Imagine how many images haven't been made because it was the wrong time or wrong light.  Perhaps if you are making portfolio images with every click of the shutter that might hold true, but the intention is really to get us to think about how best to utilise the light with the gear we have and the scene that is right in front of us.  I've probably got that wrong, but I sure hope I haven't otherwise my LR catalogue is going to shrink rapidly because most don't conform to the rules.  But, if we look at the images we all have, look at them and ask the question, "Did I make the best use of the light and my gear?  Is the subject represented the best way that I could given my current knowledge and skillset?"  If the answer is yes or very close to yes, then end of discussion.  We have achieved the very best we can do right now and we have grown stronger because of it.  Nothing wrong (or right) in only photographing in perfect golden hour light, but there are so many hours in a day we can make beautiful images.  We should probably use some of them.  After All, we've paid really good money for the gear we have.  Nothing like wearing out a shutter because you've been busy making images and learning. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #kings_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Pacific Gull ----- . 0330.  About 60 minutes drive to the location we needed to be in.  No breaky, but a coffee and a tea (herbal, that is) for a very pregnant wife.  Clear morning and cold.  For West Aussies, it was bitterly cold down south - about 5 degrees Celsius - not cold for many folks but that is a tad on the chilly side for us, especially when you are pregnant - well, not me, my wife.  So we drove to the "spot" that I hadn't been to previously but my wife had spent a lot of time there when she was growing up and she had been telling me for months that we should go.  So, at 0330, we did. . Drive was uneventful and the sky was changing colour as we got closer.  Pulled into the carpark to a sky that was on fire.  I've seen many a beautiful sky but this was something very different.  We wandered down to the beach, grabbed a few images of a beach, island, rainbow (for real) and a a rainbow sky.  It was amazing.  We ventured down to the old jetty and found a heap of shorebirds around the place.  Watching them for a while, I noticed the adult Pacific Gulls were buys oof shore and would lead their juveniles to some fish.  This juvenile fed with its parents and then flew over to the jetty and looked around.  A very common bird for many folks, but for us, it was a first (here in WA, that is) and teamed with the sky, rainbows and ocean, it might explain why our little bloke loves the beach, finds every rainbow he can, draws them whenever he can, had rainbow birthday cakes and loves to watch birds.  I'm not sure, but watching my wife that morning, it felt like there was a lot more going on than what I could see... . . . . . #MargaretRiver #AustraliasSW #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #kings_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Crested Pigeon ------ . One more from the backyard.  This Pigeon was busy looking around and taking in the sights of the backyard whilst its mates had decided discretion was the better part of valour.  However, the sunshine and warmth was far too enticing for this Crested Pigeon to leave its perch.  No goldy blue on the wings with this view but they sure are a beautiful bird. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #kings_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Great Egret ----- . Must be an Egret type of day today.  Not so many words this afternoon.  Rising sun.  Estuary.  Great Egret with a fish.  It was a beautiful morning full of surprises all round.  It is always wonderful to see the Egret feed.  Hope you're enjoying your Sunday no matter how much of it you have lived through so far. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #kings_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife #nature_brilliance #majestic_wildlife_ 

. ----- Little Egret ----- . It's Sunday here.  A day that means many different things/ideals/ideas to all of us - probably not many are the same.  Similar but not the same.  Most folks whol follow the similar group of people here, (amongst the birding group), obviously like birds.  Or something about them.  Not everyone will feel the same way about the birds.  Or the images.  Just as well!  If we all felt the same or created the same images, we would only need to see a few folks and their images instead of the larger group of folks we all follow or look at.  That spreads the love and increases our knowledge about species and people.  That has to be a good thing.  Learning more about the people around us and the birds around us.  This may be an unpopular view, but tolerance of people seems like a shallow way of walking through life.  Accepting people seems like a better idea - perhaps.  Tolerance can imply we will go along with things while all is good.  Once it deviates from good, tolerance becomes a little shaky at times.  Acceptance seems like a better place to be.  But, acceptance doesn't imply liking or loving.  It implies we will look at a person and see the person without so much judgement.  Whether we like someone or not, is a different story.  But, like or otherwise, acceptance means we are looking at the person.  I've probably got this all bent out of shape but that is the beginning or extension of a person's understanding and growth.  No matter how much we know about one thing, we have so much to learn about so many other ideas.  Anyway, the Little Egret was about to take off after being flushed by a couple of people walking around behind it.  Seemed like we all got to do something we enjoyed. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #kings_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Eastern Osprey ----- .The Osprey certainly don't bring to mind a bird that is unsure in the air.  Between taking fish out of the water at full speed, evading various suitors at different times, evading a personal nemesis or two or potentially being the invader, they do so with a lot of grace, and one could almost say, aplomb.  They make us humans seem a little precarious as we traipse around the various spaces they are so comfortable in.  On more than one occasion, my feet as if they were being controlled by two brains, have swept in opposite directions until, by the grace of all things birding, they seem to stop, allow  me to pause, reflect and move with as much grace as I can muster to a space on the ground that doesn't require all my mental eneergy to stay upright and have not have the Gulls laughing their tail feathers off at me.  Please don't get me started on how often I have almost ended up with feet in the air like walking on black ice yet it is only mud whilst watching shorebirds!!!  the post is long enough... . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #kings_birds #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife  #elite_raptors #ig_birds_of_prey #birdsofprey 

. ----- Yellow-billed Spoonbill ----- . Watching birds leave the ground or water is both amazing and terrifying at the same time.  Some make it look like they came out knowing just how to make everything look graceful - like a ballerina or great surgeon - every movement is apparently effortless.  Others look like they were put together with left over bits - odd sized wings for their bodies, bodies that are in no way designed by someone/something that was even remotely aware of the laws of aerodynamics and so on.  It is like watching a car crash and not being able to do anything to stop it.  Then...they are in the air and all further thoughts about their ability to fly are quickly put back in the human domain of ignorance and the wonder and awes comes out to watch the gracefulness that they all have in so many ways.  Very much unlike watching a person walk around, trip, stumble, regain balance, smile to herself (or himself), pray no-one else saw what happened and then proceed as if nothing happened.  But inside, we know that it is entirely different.  We are often just grateful that we are still on two legs and not face first on the ground having to explain to all onlookers why it was painfully imperative that you take that close a look at the ground at that precise moment and potentially having your intellect and lineage called into question!!  I wonder (and I know the answer) if birds ever have a fleeting moment of, "Oh dear, I shouldn't have eaten that last fish!!" . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #kings_birds #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Australian Pelican ----- . This was one fo the first times that I managed to make an image of a Pelican that I felt was able to show some of the power and grace that I had seen many times but never captured.  It was after sunrise and there were a number of crabbers and Pelicans in the estuary but they all seemed unsettled.  A few Pelicans took to the wing, so to speak, and this one circled around and came back to see what all the fuss was about.  What was the fuss?  No idea.  Was indiscernible to this human.  It seemed to be indiscernible to the Pelicans as well. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #kings_birds #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Grey Plover ----- . Wet.  That is about the only way to describe how we both were - the Plover and I.  The difference is that, the Plover knew what it was doing.  I had no idea the tide had moved in again - not a great tide watcher - so, not a great fisherfolk either - but I can photograph birds (sometimes!! - just don't look at my "oh dear" drive!) . The tide had come in really fast and the shorebirds that were around were busy feeding and wading.  The Plover was walking towards me and then stopped and looked.  It looked at me as if to ask if I was okay or did I need a hand.  It didn't wait for an answer and kept on going.  When I stood up, half the estuary emptied out of the pockets of my shorts.  I often shake my head at myself - this was one of those occasions. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #kings_birds #animal_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Western Grey Kangaroo ----- . So, Matt Jones (@matthew_jones_photography) posts some outstanding images and he posted a Leaf Green Tree Frog about a day ago and he commented that a critter was not far from my feed . So, here is one.  A common Western Grey in beautiful light feeding with a group of about 15 amongst the wetlands.  So, thanks for the push, Matt.  More common than humans in our country but hopefully it works!! . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #kangaroo #australiagram #seeaustralia #ausgeo #wildlifeofaustralia #animals_sultans #nature_worldwide_knowledge #nature_brilliance #igscwildlife #naturelover @nature_aus #australiawildlife #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #australia

. ----- Pacific Black Duck ----- . This was the first time that our little bloke came with me, watched from a distance, got down on the ground with me (two of us just a tad dirty!!) and correctly identified the ducks in front of us. Perhaps it isn't an outstanding image (well, I know its not) but it means a lot to a dad who watched his son more than the birds. I'd do that any day to see his smile. Was a terrific day. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #kings_birds #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Silver Eye ----- . The Silver Eyes are everywhere!!! Well, almost. They're here around home. All around. Fly around like a squadron of fighter pilots looking to take out the tree full of nectar. But a squadron of pilots wouldn't do that. Silver Eyes would. That is the topic of the post, not fighter pilots. So, I'll leave it there. Just know they fly in packs, descend on trees, feed vorasciously and then leave for their next tree. All based on a call from a leader. Beautiful!! . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #kings_birds #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Great Egret ----- . This was a surprise for me.  I had been watching a whole bunch of different birds along the shore and had some okay images but I was being suckered into watching the Egret because they seemed to be watching everything much more than feeding.  I watched this Egret walk along the shore for a long time - it was moving backwards and forwards along the same stretch of shore.  I decided to leave them to it, when this Egret walked out to the water, struck a large fish, ate it and walked back to the shore, did the shake they do after eating, stretch its wings and neck and then opened it bill a couple of times.  Then, it stood there like all was good in the world.  I stood there with my mouth open just watching. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #animal_sultans #kings_birds #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Red-capped Parrot ----- . The last one of these that I posted was the juvenile that was sitting on another branch as this male (I guess he is dad) was looking at me.  We know, too, that mumma was sitting in a tree behind them watching proceedings.  I really enjoy watching this species - you never know whether they will stay where they are or take flight and watch from a distance.  This trio was happy to stay put for a short time.  Dad was beautiful in the light - really impresses me how good they look. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #kings_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #nature_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife 

. ----- Eastern Osprey ----- . One hot day.  Late morning.  Flies and mosquitoes everywhere.  Not much in the way of birds.  Almost going home but one last look along the shore.  I could hear the Osprey calling and it didn't sound normal.  Wandered around and saw two of them perched in the trees.  Both had fish.  Both were calling.  Both were not happy to see the other there.  Both wouldn't eat.  And, both would turn their back to the other.  I watched this for about 30 minutes and saw this male call out and rush the juvenile  half a dozen times before the juvenile left and fed in another tree.  It was the oddest thing I had seen for awhile. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #nature_sultans #kings_birds #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife #_only_raptors #ig_birds_of_prey #birdsofprey 

. ----- Caspian Tern ----- . These "guys" truly do dance (or mate in this case), like nobody's watching.  I watched the small group that was on the shore for about an hour - so much to see when you just lay there and watch.  Their calls, movements, behaviour all lead to knowing and learning more.  The light was just right to reflect off the water and pop a nice catchlight and reflection onto the eyes and wings.  Awesome to see them. . . . . . #Mandurah #perthisok #WesternAustralia #AussiePhotos #ausgeo  #birdlifeaustralia #birdsofaustralia #nuts_about_birds #eye_spy_birds  #kings_birds #global4nature #bb_of_ig #nature_sultans #dof_nature #birds_adored #sassy_birds #feather_perfection #perfect_birds #bns_birds #birdphotography #birds_captures #birdlife #nature_worldwide_knowledge #birdsofinstagram #your_best_birds #bird_brilliance #pocket_birds #igscwildlife