I’m getting tired of starting each post with,”Its been quite awhile since I uploaded a new page.” And even if I wasted half a page explaining the ins and outs of the delays, let’s face it, like apathy, no one cares. 🙂
The problem for me with a blog like this is if I don’t get the time on the day, then several go by, and a new project has emerged and the blog is left in the dust.
So, just as well I decided to send postcards!
EE and I took advantage of the early morning sunshine and headed to the You Yangs. Couple of things stood out for us. We’d been discussing the fact that neither of us had made any reasonable shots of Scarlet Robins for quite a long while. Not just because we were spending time in the wrong areas, but well, the birds had been around either.
So you might well imagine, (if you will), our delight, surprise and excitement when we pulled into the carparking area and had to shoo a pair of Scarlets out of the way so we could park the vehicle. Gotta think a day when the birds meet you in the carpark is going to be a good day.
Not only did we find the Scarlets, but also a female Red-capped Robin. She seems to travel with a male Scarlet and it didn’t take long for him to turn up as well.
After a few drops of rains the other day, some of the rock pools were still holding water and the birds were making the most of it for early morning bathing.
And to add to the excitement, a ‘whoosh’ directly overhead as a Wedge-tailed Eagle at full tilt flew just over the treetops and out to a thermal and began to circle not that far from us. How good!
Enjoy.
Crimson Rosella enjoying a clean up after a bath
Scarlet Robin drying off after a bath
Of all the birds I work with I often think the White-plumed Honeyeaters enjoy the water the most. Usually its a splash and dash, but this bird seemed to soak it all up
Looks like he’s bathing, but he actually catching tiny insects from the pool
Eastern Spinebill working like a humming-bird
She is rapidly becoming my favourite Red-capped Robin to work with. Her tolerance for the human condition is boundless. I must work a name for her, as its going to be a great relationship (for me) in the coming months.
The Red-capped female travels with this Scarlet. I’ve no idea of the relationship, but they spend a lot of time talking together and hunt in the same area.
Not to be outdone a female Scarlet Robin came by for a looksee as well.
Always a pleasure. This bird flew directly over us and then circled in a updaft.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
All lovely shots and your postcards are always welcome, whenever you have the time. But oh, what a fantastic shot is the one of the Eastern Spinebill. Thanks for sharing, as always.
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HI Eleanor, thanks for dropping by. I was a bit taken back by the actions of the bird, and was fortunate to get it at work in the open.
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Amazing photos David, especially the Spinebill feeding in flight, I have never seen that before. This is a very special capture. It is good to see you here again, and the beautiful southern birds. We don’t see Scarlets much this close to the coast. The Red-caps have apparently moved further north and there are reports of some nesting near Sydney. The Wedgie was a nice final touch.
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G,day AB. One of my favourite bird sites locally, Woodlands Historic Park also has had a lack of Red-capped Robins over the past year or so. When I first started there were robins every couple of hundred metres or so.
Not sure what has caused the change
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Thanks For sharing david , I had the same experience in chiltern only yesterday, a scarlet hanging closely with flame robins …. pretty little birds
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G’day An. It is such an interesting liaison. I used to see large flocks of Flame Robins over winter, always with a few Scarlets. The large mixed flock included thronbills, wagtails, whistlers and sitellas and a few others. But Woodlands no longer seem to be able to support the flocks or there is other places of preference.
One of those bird things I’ll never understand
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Just for completeness. The Red-capped Robin now has a new name. Philomena.
I’ve yet to discuss this with her and gain approval, but if not, I’ll just have to keep trying.
The reason for “p” names is they have in the past seemed to be alert to words beginning with “p”.
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G’day David and thanks for the beautiful postcards. Guess what – I almost went to You Yangs yesterday but in the last minute decided to turn to Woodlands. Thinking of you I crossed the Bandicoot Hilton and on the top of Gellibrand Hill I took the first shots of a Flame Robin this season. When he flew away I saw a Wedge-tailed Eagle flying high in the skies. So now it’s definitely You Yangs ASAP. I wonder if I meet Philomena there. If I do, I’ll definitely greet her by her new name ;-).
Keep on blogging…
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G,day Adam, Wow, Glad you took the opportunity. Great to know they are back. We did spend a rather fruitless day out there the other week.
We dropped by the Office and walked along the top river track toward the market gardens and found half a dozen Flame Robins working the fence and the mown track area. I feel a blog coming on. 🙂
The place for Philomena is the car park at the Big Rock
She is pretty reliable.
Seeya
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Great shots! Love the one of the spinebill!
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