Author: David Jenkins

Natural History Photographic Essayist

Roses are Red and We Love You

Posted in Rose Robin, Woodlands Historic Park11 Comments

Looking back over the past decade or so of bird sightings at Woodlands Historic Park, one species (among many) that featured in the earlier accounts is the Rose Robin.

The record keepers seem to have quite a number of sightings over the years, and when I first started seriously following the birds as Woodlands, my mate, and mentor, Ray, was often asking about Rose Robin sightings.

However the past few years have seen little evidence of the bird in the area, and no real confirmed sightings that I am aware of.

The past couple of seasons have been highlighted by at least one female Pink Robin, but alas no Rose.

And now we fast forward to 2017, and it seems at least one pair, or small family have taken to making the park their winter residence and making the hearts of birdfollowers beat with an added intensity.

Continue reading “Roses are Red and We Love You” →

Messing with Themes again

Posted in Birdsaspoetry4 Comments

1703-07_DWJ_5370

Well, you could just put it down to raining, and too much time on my hands.

But,

I’ve taken to change the theme for Birdsaspoetry.

What I liked about the old theme is better expressed in the new.  It makes the photos the hero, the text is supportive, and as I think I’m going to discover the text will be less obtrusive as I try to make the stories carry with the photos alone.   We’ll see.
What the theme does give me is the chance to clean up all the old material that is pretty much not used and give nice clean feel to the front page.

So, here is a happy looking Australian Hobby  who obviously enjoyed the challenge of change.

 

She comes!

Posted in Uncategorized1 Comment

A mix of Sitella, Walt Whitman and a little Day Book reflection.

David Jenkins's avatarStudio Werkz

Hidden Beauty

Varied Sitella are not necessarily an easy bird to work with.  They have quite definite ideas (as do all birds), about their job, and go at it with a will.  They have the rather interesting habit of working from the top of a tree downwards before flying on to high up the next most likely tree.

I am, truth be told, not looking for Sitella of any kind, but rather, being very quiet, hunting Eastern Yellow Robin.
When

Out of nowhere a small band of Sitella take the the branches on front of me.  Then after spending most the a few moments upside down under the branch, this one paused, and attended to wardrobe matters.

Whitman’s poem leapt out.

 She comes! I hear the rustling of her gown; I scent the odor of her breath’s delicious fragrance; I mark her step divine—her curious eyes a-turning, rolling, Upon this very scene…

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How to Brighten up a Grey Box Forest

Posted in Flame Robin, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Woodlands Historic ParkTagged , , , 3 Comments

I suppose it was not to be unexpected that after finding some Flame Robins at The Office last week, that we would have to venture further afield.
A rare find of a Rose Robin at Woodlands Historic Park, must have got the inquisitive out and about, as every person we met today asked, “Have you seen the Rose Robin?”  Sadly we had to respond “No”.  We did manage to get an indication that some Flame Robins had been seen down near the hospital dam, and so like the Banjo suggests,  “We went”.

But no luck. Did you remember to pack the bird karma, she asked.

At this time of the year I always expect the Bandicoot Hilton, Backpaddock to be firmly locked from mere mortals, but today it was open and so we ventured in.

Continue reading “How to Brighten up a Grey Box Forest” →

Re-decorating the Office

Posted in Flame Robin, Nankeen Kestrel, The Office, Werribee River ParkTagged , , , 3 Comments

Well it is indeed that time of year when the seasons change and with that change the birdlife at the Office begins to take on a new look for Winter.

So a change of colour scheme is definitely on the agenda.
Out with the mottled tones of Summer, and in with the bold colours of cooler days.

And the first of our Winter collection is ready for show

Continue reading “Re-decorating the Office” →

Good old flat lighting works for me

Posted in Uncategorized2 Comments

Posted a new image and discussion over on Studio Werkz.
Enjoy

David Jenkins's avatarStudio Werkz

Things have been a bit hectic at Studio Werkz.
I was sitting quietly on a seat in the shade of the late afternoon sun, waiting for some ducks to begin their bathing routine in the late sunshine.

When, for no reason other than it wanted to, this young Nankeen Night Heron swung down out of the sky and landed a few metres from me feet.

WIth the sun as the main light source coming directly from behind me, and sprinkling its goodness as it came through the tall trees and foliage, tiny pin-point spot lights were the order of the day.

The rich golden light of that evening sun, seemed in so many ways to balance and enhance the young bird’s feather set.

My real challenge was to keep the exposure from washing out the highlights, and also from blocking up the shadows.  I tend to use a Picture Control on…

View original post 290 more words

Bathing Beauty

Posted in Werribee Mansion, White-faced HeronTagged , 6 Comments

I have to say, I’ve never seen a White-faced Heron engaged in a bathing session.

That is until today.

Was working with a couple of Nankeen Night Heron juveniles, and somewhere, you know, way over there, was a White-faced Heron. Not that I was really interested at that distance anyway.
Then.

For its own reasons, it waded out into the deeper water, and proceeded to settle down into the water up to the top of its wings.  And then it must have rocked back on its wings/tail and stood vertically.   Most interesting.  Continue reading “Bathing Beauty” →

The Secret Life of a Little Aussie Grebe

Posted in Australasian Grebe, Werribee MansionTagged , 11 Comments

I suppose that many of us have at one time or another tried to photograph a diving water bird.  If for no other reason than the challenge.  The problem is they don’t wave flags, or seem to indicate that they are about to dive.  Like Pooh bear, they just do.

I was sitting watch a pair at the Werribee Mansion Ornamental Lake the other evening and again the need to try to catch one on plunge overwhelmed me and I started out trying to get that moment.  30 frames later, it was obvious, well at least to me, that said Grebe was pretty slick at getting underwater.

But, the more I watched, the more interesting it all became.

Continue reading “The Secret Life of a Little Aussie Grebe” →

You Yangs Interlude: Some Days are Diamonds

Posted in Australian Magpie, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Crested Shrike-tit, Dusky Woodswallows, Red-capped Robin, Rufous Whistler, Scarlet Robin, You YangsTagged , 4 Comments

Been a bit frantic with a number of projects the past week or so, and have a bit more to add to Studio Werkz.
EE suggested a bit of a break from serious bird photography, and an early morning at the You Yangs Park sounded about right.

Continue reading “You Yangs Interlude: Some Days are Diamonds” →

Studio Werkz

Posted in Australian Wood Duck, Chestnut Teal, Superb Fairy-wren, Werribee Mansion, White-faced HeronTagged , , , , , 4 Comments

When I was a mere broth of a photographer, and just learning the craft, almost all weddings, portraits and product and advertising photography was done in the Studio. Photographers like D’acre Stubbs specialised in getting just the right light on a product, and Wolfgang Sievers made wonderful detailed industrial photos with dramatic lighting.
And I traded my poor old Super Baldar, 120 folding camera for the chance to learn the craft as a trainee.

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Swamp Harriers at Play

Posted in Swamp Harrier, Western Treatment Plant3 Comments

Mostly we think of Swamp Harriers as pretty serious birds, going about their serious business and always on the look out for the next meal.
So we were a bit taken back to find a couple of Swamp Harriers, engaged, in what can only be described as games.

It’s often seen among the Whistling Kites and Black-shouldered Kites, but Swamp Harriers seem to be very much the solo bird.
These two took it seemed great delight in working the air, and making passes at one another.  They remained at it for at least 10 minutes, and stayed around the river edges, so we were able to follow them along for much of the time.  In the end, both swept away, to see what they could find among the ducks now congregating along the ponds.

See photos on the next page.
Continue reading “Swamp Harriers at Play” →

Venturing into the ‘Hood’. Hooded Robin that is

Posted in Goschen, Hooded RobinTagged , 3 Comments

Had a trip up to the family acres.
No trip that far and yet so close to Goschen can be let go without a side journey down to this great little area.

Goschen Roadside Reserve has gained among the birding fraternity something of a ‘honeypot’ status. And it seems with good reason.
Isolated as it is from the wetlands down the road at Lake Boga and surrounded by wheat paddocks on every side, the little handkerchief of land wedged next to a road junction, provides both a home and a welcome stop over for many species.
Continue reading “Venturing into the ‘Hood’. Hooded Robin that is” →

Sneaking up on a Swamp Harrier

Posted in Uncategorized3 Comments

I jest about writing a book on getting some good photos of these most fascinating and elusive creatures.

They have absolutely no tolerance for humans.   And I beleive they have the area mapped and anything that wasn’t there on the last pass, is either a food opporunity or danger to be avoided.

Continue reading “Sneaking up on a Swamp Harrier” →