Some Birds for Your Viewing Pleasure

First up, and the one I'm happiest with, is the Bassian Thrush. This was spotted at Fern Glade near Burnie, Tasmania. When disturbed they often run a few metres or fly to a low branch and then stand still pretending you cannot see them. Theoretically this should give one an opportunity to grab a shot. The problem is they are usually deep among the tree ferns or some other very dark place making photography rather difficult. This one was foraging among the leaf litter and slowly worked it's way out into a slightly more open area. Out of half a dozen shots this was the only one that was at least worth keeping.

Bassian Thrush,  Zoothera lunulata, lurking in the shadows, at Fern Glade, Burnie, Tasmania

Next up is one of Tasmania's endemics, the Yellow-throated Honeyeater. This was at the George Town Wildlife Sanctuary.

Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Lichenostomus flavicollis  at George Town, Tasmania

I put in a big effort to get this next photograph traveling at least 50 metres on foot into one of the deepest, darkest, corners of my backyard.

Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus, in the Backyard

The last shot is not so recent. It was taken back in October at Granite Island, off Victor Harbour, in South Australia.

Female Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides on Granite Island, S.A

Linked to Our World Tuesday andWild Bird Wednesday   

The Peewee or Magpie-lark

Grallina cyanoleuca
 
This is a very common bird throughout mainland Australia but is absent from Tasmania so I was happy to get some photos while visiting Adelaide.  It has many common names including Peewit, Peewee, Mudlark, Murray magpie and Yilimbirraa. I was brought up using the onomatopoeic name Peewee although the accepted common name these days is the Magpie-lark.

Plucky Peewee Pauses Precariously Upon Pointy Perch

 The Magpie-lark -  Grallina cyanoleuca

Linked to Wild Bird Wednesday