Author: David Jenkins

Spring, as they say has Sprung.

Or

The arrival of Demeter and Persephone
To the ancient Greeks, spring and summer signified the six months when Persephone returned from the Underworld, and her mother Demeter made the earth bloom and grow bountiful after her absence.

Now, of course this was written for the more northern climes, so for us mere southerners, perhaps Demi and Seph get two goes at coming around. Facts should never get in the way of a good yarn.

Now a good rollikin’ Greek legend has many a twist and turn
The good Bard used a variation of the story in his play, “A Winter’s Tale”, with the basic structure recalling the myth of Persephone, a beautiful young girl abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, from a flowering field where she was playing. Allowed to return six months of every year to the earth’s surface, Persephone’s comings and goings explain the cycle of winter and summer.
Demeter, of course, is the one that negotiates the release of her daughter, and so every year as Spring rolls around mother and daughter are reunited and the earth,—because of Demeter’s happiness, blossoms and new life develops .
The Bard, in his way, used a tad or more of poetic licence on the basics of the story.

Fascinating, I’m sure, but I’m also sure that the flocks of Welcome Swallows, and Fairy Martins are driven by more than a whimsical legend or an English poet/playwright.

We had decided that as the sun was shining and the wind wasn’t howling, that a trip down to Werribee South Marina,(and coffee shop) would be a pleasant way to spend the morning in the sunshine.
Close by to the waters edge, there were still few tiny puddles of water, and some mud. For the next 30 minutes or so the Fairy Martins and Welcome Swallows swept in to collect material for their little nesting projects. Wouldn’t it interesting to know how many trips they each made, but they must have had a site quite local, as no sooner did they seem to depart than they were back for another load.
The small area of mud was alongside a busy footpath. (The sunshine bought out not only Demi and Seph but all the locals for their dog-walk and coffee fix) The little birds seem to pay it all no attention, lifting off if disturbed, to circle about and re-land.
Such is dedication. Demeter would be proud
And such was the action that a pair of Magpie-larks joined in as well. However I missed seeing their mud collecting.

On the way home we stopped for a few minutes as there is a family of Magpies on the corner of a close street. How close? Well between EE and I we walk past the tree several times a week, in the early first light of morn.

I went by earlier in the week and didn’t notice anything unusual, but Mrs Maggie has been very busy and has in just a few days constructed a very secure, if somewhat open planning nest. Suitably festooned with discarded building site materials. Colour Coordination is obviously important to throughly modern roadside Magpies. I’m thinking I might name her Persephone.

As I can easily see the nest from the footpath, I do hope to keep a track of the comings and goings as the season progresses.

Enjoy

It’s probably well known, that I have a love/hate relationship with Adobe. Well, not all Adobe, just Lightroom in particular. It’s a product that I love to hate.
And to be fair, it has managed my library for the past 10 years or more, so perhaps it should be a more of a tolerant relationship.
And no, I’m not going to highlight each of the niggles that I have. Just I’m always on the lookout for a better library manager. But recent changes to the suite has caused me to perhaps reconsider my position.
I’ve never been enamoured by their raw converter, much preferring Capture One, Raw Power, or DXO and even Nikon Capture/Studio (in no particular order) to deal with my NEF file conversion.

However some recent changes seem to me to have finally given me the result I was looking for at import. All good.

I’ve often said about the enhancement of images, (these days euphemistically called ‘post-processing’) that I’d happy with a copy of Photoshop 5.5 with its clever—then released—Masking Layers, Brushes and Curves tool for just about all the changes I need to make. (ps. I try not to spend hours in front of screen, pulling first this or then that slider, hoping to produce a prize-winner out of something that I’d normally send to the Trashbin.)

When I was travelling extensively PS5.5 running on a little Libretto Toshiba notebook did all of the heavy lifting for me. And given the size of the Libretto (it was only just a little larger in size to an Iphone 15 Max) just fitted in one palm, it wasn’t a bad effort. (How times change)
And I was much happier to move to the first Macbook Air with a decent size keyboard.

But… Back to Adobe
Lightroom in particular.

To keep up with the latest and greatest, of course, Adobe have introduced several AI components into the Lr suite. One of which is the Generative AI Removal tool. Swipe over the ‘offending’ intrusion into the perfect composition, hit the “Apply Button” pause to take a breath, and there before your very eyes like some magician’s trick, ‘it’s’ Gone… And just to be sure, new buttons offer three. (Count them. 3 ) choices of result.

Wannaseehowitworks? Well I did too.

As it turned out while I was working with some Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters on boxthorn (see last week’s post) a clever little Sparrow landed on the bush just in front of my moment.
Yep, I could have cropped around it, and neither you or I would have had to wade all the way down here, But I thought. Why not?
Why not indeed, so.
I did.

With and Without Sparrow. Version #1 with some space under the bird and a clever addition to the branch

Version #2 filling in the space. Version #3 creating a nice branch that can support the bird.
You can click on the pics to get a full size view of each pair.

I know. Scary.
And of course no one is every going to believe anything else I post again. 🙂
Some, suspicious that we are, might even be wondering. Did he actually paste the Sparrow in from another shot? 🙂

Like many of the ‘new’ features using AI, personally I don’t find the need compelling. But for those days when the wind is howling outside, the rain is pitching down and I’ve crawled out from under the doona long enough to make a cup of the Earl of Grey, it does while away a bit of time.

Here’s to some warm sunny Spring days soon.

South African Boxthorn is a highly invasive plant, imported into Australia, around the 1880s. The purpose was to provide hedgerows for land demarkaction.
The plant, however, because of it’s evasive properties, had other ideas, and quickly spread out beyond the intended purpose.

Like many of the ‘imports’ into Australia, such as rabbits, foxes, prickly pear, cats, deer and a host of other unmentionables, (including land-lice—first nations word for sheep), and South African Boneseed, whatever the intended and seemingly harmless (insert profit here) reason, the pests became feral and are now for all intents and purposes beyond complete eradication.

Boxthorn has a fruit that starts out green but ripens to a rich red/orange. Each fruit can contain as many as 70 or more seeds, each capable of germination. Given a two metre high plant can contain thousands of the little red invaders, it’s not hard to see how it was able to get away from control. Add to that, it is quite capable of sprouting from a broken, or cut twig, or branch, and the problem simply gets larger.
Early attempts to simply plough them back into the ground, just gave them the space needed to spread even further.

Poisons work, as does cutting them down, stacking them to air dry, and treating the roots. All of which adds up to hard work, and while effective, like dealing with another feral, like Boneseed, needs constant attention.
So in lots of places, by the roadside, in open bush land and forest, the plant just carries on its merry way.

Nearby to us is a small abandoned piece of roadway and some open paddock. It has several stands of boxthorn. At present the plants are in fruit, and a number of local birds have added the berries to their diet. Cockatoos, some parrots and honeyeaters make the most of the offering, and of course, either drop the seeds, or carry them to be deposited when they excrete else where.
Two birds I’ve never seen on boxthorn before are Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes, and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters. However for some reason, the nomad honeyeaters and the Cuckoo-shrikes have been very busy in the small area, and over a matter of a week or so have practically stripped the plants of fruit.

Round one to the Boxthorn.

For some reason, and I don’t know why, most cockatoos tend to be ‘left-footed’.

There is some evidence that the young will experiment with both right and left, but in the end, perhaps because of peer pressure, (I jest), they settle on using the left foot to handle food.

I’ve only ever seen one Sulphur Crested that appeared to be ambidextrous.

Three Little Corellas swept in over the top of a feeding flock of Galahs. I don’t think one of the Galahs even lifted up to see their arrival. The rich shoots of the short grasses must indeed have been sweet and the trio settled in to savouring the feast.

Here is an article that talks to the footedness of parrots

All three of these birds were Lefties.

This photo shows it with the foot up, but each time I moved round to get a view of it eating, it continued to turn its head and body so I only managed a slight view of it putting the food in its mouth.
Then it would turn around again with the foot up. I’m almost sure it did it deliberately to stop me getting a clear shot of the feeding process. 🙂 (Yes, I’m parrot paranoid)

Enjoy

I do spend a lot of time watching large birds in the air.
Mostly Kites and Falcons.
Each has its own special flight pattern, its own use of the air, wind, and terrain.
The concept of flight has been a fascination of human history, and not without a little envy of these creatures that can spread out their wings and move seemingly effortlessly through the air.

One bird that I find not only fascinating, but truly mesmerising is watching a Gannet working over the water on a strong breeze. Its movements are not just about wingflaps, or wing angle.
They seem to be able to make the most minute of adjustments depending on the wind, one moment skimming close to the water, the next raising high, or rolling over into a near vertical dive.

We occasionally have have them come up to the northern end of Port Phillip.

If there is a low(ish) tide, and the fish run over the sandy reef, and there is strong offshore, northerly wind blowing, we might even, on a good day, get them close enough to watch every detail of their flight. On a really, really good day, we might even get some sunshine for photographs. (Although of late, such a chance is more dreamed than achieved in reality)

The long thin wings seem to be scythe through the air, yet carry the bird’s torpedo shaped body in the right direction. A little tail flick, a weight distribution, one wing pulled in, the other extended, and the bird carries out its magic dance against the strength of the wind, the roll of the waves and the constant search for a meal.

Mesmerising.

This edition of the blog took very little effort to write, you could say it kind of wrote itself.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock this past week, you will at least have noted a reference to an assassination attempt on a US presidential candidate.
I’m not going to begin to explore the rights, wrongs, or political implication of that event.

No doubt also you’ll have seen some photos from that afternoon. Or you may have been doomscrolling to find all the wide-eyed conspiracy theories that suddenly sprung up.

One photo caught my interest. And is the subject of the remainder of the blog.

It is on the cover of TIme Magazine. It was taken by photographer Evan Vucci.

I managed to hear an interview on radio with Mr Vucci, and try as I might I haven’t been able to locate that interview online.
The part that caught me up, was the interviewer asked “Was it a ‘lucky’ shot?”
And he replied…

….“I started thinking, OK, what’s going to happen next? Where is he going to go? Where do I need to be? Where do I need to stand? What is going to happen?”
“The job is all about anticipation,” Vucci says.

“It was a situation where that vast experience absolutely does [prepare you]. To have that experience behind you sort of allows you to remain calm. It wasn’t the first time I was in that situation. So I was able to keep my head, I was able to think. I was able to compose pictures. I think all of us were there and we just stayed in the moment, stayed on the story. In my head, I just kept saying to myself, ‘slow down, slow down. Compose, compose.’ Okay, what’s gonna happen next? What’s going on here? What’s going on there? Just trying to get every angle on it.’

“In the moment it’s weird because your brain is basically shut off. You’re just thinking about, ‘Okay, what’s my composition, or where’s light coming from? Is my exposure good?’ Do I need to move to the right? Do I need to move to the left?’ Because you got to be able to see his face. So when he started pumping his fist, I was surprised. And then I saw the blood on his face. And then I knew once I saw that, I knew I had at least a news storytelling image. I knew I had something. So I felt good. At least something was in the bag.”

“I work for AP. You know, we have a long history of photojournalism. And so I think when you’re at this level, and something like this happens to you, you’re able to react a certain way and expect[ed] to produce. I was just thankful that I was able to hold that standard.”

No doubt you can find many links to the story. Here’s the Time Magazine Cover and some of his other quotes.

Please be aware there are many pictures on the site, and I don’t want to add to the horror.

But hidden in there is the mantra.

• The Mantra.
  • Know your composition
  • Where is the light coming from
  • Is my Exposure good
  • Do I need to move left or right
  • Slow down
  • Keep your head
  • Think. What’s going to happen next.

Something to think about next time I’m out in the field and a great photo opportunity presents itself. Will I be ready?

Now, two Brown Falcons at play rebuilding their pair bond, might never make it to Time magazine. Nor will it fit into the same hall of fame as Evan Vucci. But some of the principles from the Mantra were at work when I made the shot.

The two birds are back together again preparing for next summer’s nesting.
I’d seen them working along the beach, and they had disappeared, when suddenly the raucous call of the female went up, I turned and raced back along the beach to an opening among the trees and she came over the tops of the trees, just as he plummeted down from a display flight.
But if she was happy to see him, I was glad to get one shot of the joyous moment.

Enjoy.

Year ago, I had the chance to work with a Canadian, who, among other things, in the days before the worldwide web, and social media, used to create and present training programmes.
One such, carried the title, “Len’s Love” As his name was, Len, it seemed appropriate.
But, of course, his real intent was on the use of lenses and their impact on the photographic process and result.
Fascinating, as he treated the photo journey as one of his great loves.

I have over the years owned, used and had access to a wide range of lenses. Some, and if you want a list, the Nikkor 43-86mm f/3.5 would be at the top of the very ordinary, bordering on not particularly good. Funnily enough, my dear Dad, had a fondness for that particular lens and its ‘soft’ peculiarities. ( I acquired one, some years back, simply for sentimental reasons)

When I began bird photography seriously, I did manage to track down and purchase, a Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens. This lens was sharp. Well balanced and although manual focus, such a pleasure to use. I made a whole Nankeen Kestrel nesting series with that lens. Another lens that I’d like to refind. Just for sentimental reasons.
Here’s one from that series with the lens. (Camera for the interested was a Nikon D200)

Of more recent times many will know, from Flickr, that my workhorse has been a Nikkor 500mm, f/5.6 PF. I published a blog on my experiences with that lens here.

And all was going well until the other day, when for some reason, the lens began to have focusing problems. It would work ok on closeups like Robins on a post, but could not focus at more distant subject. (Manually it did work, so I struggled through the day)
I’ve owned the lens since 2019, and as it has been used, hard, a couple of times a week, and has worn out a D810 and a D500, I guess it has had a good run.
Can’t tell how many 100s of thousands of frames, but my boy-scout math would suggest between 200,500 to 300,000.

So I guess it does deserve a bit of a break. The kind lens doctors at Digicam in Adelaide took it into their lens hospital, and I look forward to its return. The report was the lens was in excellent condition, other than the need to replace a couple of electrical components that had failed.
Just gotta wait for parts.

Gave me a chance to immerse myself in the wide world of mirrorless cameras and lenses. However the end result of that is I’ll be looking forward to the return of the 500 PF as it’s rapid focus on the D500 is not matched in my experience by the mirrorless system. Perhaps I’m just biased.

Here are several of my fav images from the Lens.
Chosen because they were all ‘grab’ shots, where I pointed the lens and hoped for the best. The speed of focus, and the D500 ‘terrier-like’ af did the rest.

Enjoy.