183) A Fine obsession

Diamond Firetail

 I have only seen Diamond Firetails three times and we knew they were near Giraween National Park for the winter. Nancy was busy with a university session so I drove the 4.5 hrs to find them. I spent every morning (20 degrees at night) and evening walking the road and sitting on the edge of the meadow where they congregate. I have some nice photos but all pretty far away - they are VERY skittish birds.

 So the next weekend we decided to go to Bald Mountain (the largest granite blob in QLD) and went via Girraween. Back out walking the road, we saw a flock in flight - amazing!! They landed in a tree with no leaves, and there they were--16 little puffballs, backlit by the morning light, glowing with golden glow like heirloom Christmas tree ornaments with red ribbons.  Finally, after patient pursuit (sitting really), some of the firetails popped up on a fence close enough to catch some pictures of them in their full beauty.

The Eastern Yellow robin. These guys seem to show up everywhere. I always take pictures as they are really accommodating!  Their yellow feathers simply glow, especially in the dark rainforest where we often see them.  Almost as if they have some kind of fluorescence to them.

Turquoise parrots are a treat to see, such stunningly coloured feathers.  

A pair of Superb fairy wrens jockeying for the sunny (and warm) side of the sun and companion bird sandwich.  When you weigh 1/2 ounce and are only five inches long, every bit of solar energy counts on a cold (-5 C), breezy morning.

 A female Satin Bowerbird up with first light. Great fun to listen to as they chatter at each other - sounds a bit like R2D2!! (check out the call at http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Ptilonorhynchus-violaceus - call located on right of page about 1/2 way down)

A White-cheeked Honeyeater

Nope -- not contacts or photoshop! The incredible purple eye of the male Satin Bowerbird

 Contemplating my inner navel on Bald Mountain.

 More Diamond Firetails - as I mentioned- a fine obsession!