Last Updated: Thu Jul 14 11:51:52 UTC 2016 |
Australian Wattlebirds |
Brush Wattlebird (Anthochaera
chrysoptera) feeding on a Grevillia Banksii
in the suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Note the blue irises, and the exposed brown
and yellow trim on the wing plumage, not frequently seen in images (Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX IF
HSM APO on Nikon D7100; ¿
2014 Carlo
Kopp).
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Mundane as Australian suburbia might be, we often do get interesting visitors. This multi-part web page contains a selection of recent suburban wildlife pictures of interest. The
Red Wattlebird is a loud native honeyeater, which is
highly territorial and aggressive. It is a frequent resident in
Melbourne suburbs, but mostly prefers native blossoms, over European
flowering trees. The smaller Brush Wattlebird shares most
behavioural traits with its larger cousin, which it will fight over
access to blossoming trees.
Photographs produced using a Fuji S5600, Fuji S5800, Fuji HS10, Nikon D90 with Nikkor AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED or Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG EX Macro, Nikon D7100 with Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO, and Mamiya 645/1000S with Sekor C 210mm f/4. Photos and text ¿
1997-2013 Carlo
Kopp;
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The attractive native Grevillea
banksii bush is popular in Australian gardens, and is a favourite with
numerous native bird species. This example has fed Brush Wattlebirds,
Red Wattlebirds, and a transient New Holland Honeyeater (Sekor C
45mm f/2.8N on Nikon D800).
The Eucalyptus caesia or
Silver Princess is a small gum tree indigenous to the wheatbelt of my
home state, Western Australia. It is well suited to suburbia as it is
small but grows quickly, but is like many Eucalypts maintenance
intensive as its characteristic drooping branches fracture
easily. This example is the red flowering subspecies, at about
eight years of age - it has fed Brush Wattlebirds, Red Wattlebirds, and
Rainbow Lorikeets (Nikkor AF-D 50mm f/1.8D on Nikon D90).
The Banksia integrifolia or
Coast Banksia is indigenous across the southern Australian coastline
and thrives even in very poor soils with modest or poor water supply,
making it well suited for Melbourne suburbs. The species is available
at low cost, grows quickly and its distinctive blossoms are well liked
by honeyeaters (Fuji S5800).
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Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) |
Brush Wattlebird (Anthochaera
chrysoptera)
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Other
Interesting
Wildlife
Sites http://www.wildlife-photo.org/ |
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Artwork and text ¿ 1994 - 2010 Carlo Kopp; All rights reserved. |
$Revision: 2.279 $ |