David Jenkins

One day in the sunshine

September 11, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in Black-shouldered Kite2 Comments

Its been said, that I’ve lost my bird karma, and over the past few weeks, probably my weather karma as well.
Can’t recall a good day in the sunshine, so we’ve been, as we say on Flickr, practicing.

I’ve been keeping an eye on a pair of Black-shouldered Kites at The Office. (Werribee River Park).

And today, with some sunshine, I needed a place to practice, I’d been reading John Shaw and he seemed to have some pretty fine results using the Nikon 3D tracking, so thought I’d give it a go. Never been one of my favourite settings, I do have to concede.

Knowing I only had a few minutes, I grabbed the D7100 with the 300mm PF. A pretty nice combo now I’ve made some focus adjustments care of Reikan’s FoCal software.

After a little messing with some distant falcons and Black Kites, I was about to return home when sailing over the trees came a Black-shouldered Kite with a mouse, and pretty much immediately pursued by a female crying out for her food.

That was enough for me to drop into the open paddock, (among all the stinging nettles as it turned out!!! – that wasn’t in John’s book!), and see him come in with several mice over the next half hour or so.

Here’s a selection.

He followed her back to the feeding perch.

Well fed, its time to get on with the important house renovations

Mouse eye view of the male leaving for a hunt

What's that I see, oh, just another mouse dinner — What’s that I see, oh, just another mouse dinner

“Hold still will you, we are going to be on WordPress, and I don’t want to mess it up.

With Great opportunity comes Great Responsibility

September 6, 2015September 6, 2015Posted in Superb Fairy-wren, You YangsTagged Superb Fairy-wren3 Comments

If you’ve been following for a while, and have a bit of a memory, you might recall that I put up a story of an aggressive Scarlet Robin Carpark attendant that took to the “mirror bird” reflected in the car.

See here scarlet-robin-attack-of-the-mirror-birds

Well time has moved on, so has the Scarlet Robin, but the carpark as it turns out is still there. So we pulled up there the other day hoping to find a few interesting bush birds as there is good piece of grey box forest on the far side of the fence.

What we didn’t expect, of course was to set up by the latest iteration of the Carpark attendant.

The “Blue Flash” Car Inspector. He came out of nowhere and immediately took to the mirror bird in the far side car mirror. EE said, if the window was down,” I could touch him.”

Next he proceeded all along the front windscreen, (I’d gotten myself and the 300mm lens out of the car by this time. Then on to the drivers side door and gave that a right hammering.

On looking at the shots, he does look like a young male who is just moulting-in to breeding plumage, the few grey feathers are still showing. So perhaps he is now the chief breeding male and needed to be sure he was in fact the only one in the area.

After about 10 minutes or so, he flew off across the carpark chattering at all the watching females and lesser males. They seemed to giggle at his arrival and they all took off back into the scrub.

Here is a selection.

Tip toeing round nesting sites

September 3, 2015September 3, 2015Posted in Eastern Yellow Robin, You YangsTagged Eastern Yellow Robin, You Yangs4 Comments

Just down the road from our favourite Scarlet Robins, a pair of Eastern Yellow Robins have also decided that an early start to Spring means early nest building.

This one, I practically walked into, despite being told at the time, “It’s just there on your left, you are TOO close.”

Oh.

She always takes a different approach to the site

Nestling nicely among the bark and sheltered by some wattle

Its all held together with cobweb which is wiped from beak, head and wings. — It’s all held together with cobweb which is wiped from beak, head and wings.

Choice little bits needed to fill in spaces

And the site supervisor arrives on time with morning tea.

Pondering where to put the widescreen tv?

Getting an early start on Spring

September 2, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in Scarlet Robin, You YangsTagged Scarlet RobinLeave a comment

Visiting one of our favourite pairs of Scarlet Robins, we found that she was hard at work on a new project for the season.

At first she didn’t seem to happy about disclosing the nest, and it was probably we concluded because although we couldn’t see it, it must be in the area we were standing.

That move away opened up possibilities and within a few moments she was whistling while she worked.

I have grave doubts this will be her first successful nest, but its all a matter of numbers to her, keep trying until she has a brood off. Good luck.

All in a day's work. — All in a day’s work.

The site inspector came by to offer some food topup, and to handle any technical questions.

The importance of each piece is pondered before she lays it in place

Its all bound together with spider web which she brings in around her beak, head and wings. Its then a matter of wiping it all into the correct place.

Something old, some thing new

September 2, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in Scarlet Robin, You YangsTagged Scarlet Robin, You YangsLeave a comment

Just thought I’d share where I am with the updated site.
And to be honest, I’m not.
So after a couple of false starts I’m learning to live with this layout.
Hate the huge text header, but like the page layout.

Moving navigation and the drop down sidebards to the RHS seems a good step forward. The little ‘Folder’ Icon holds most of the sidebar stuff previously so if you want to see Flickr shots they are now under there.

Breakfast, bring your own, Shrike Tit style

August 31, 2015September 2, 2015Posted in Crested Shrike-tit, You YangsTagged Crested Shrike-tit, You Yangs4 Comments

Its been awhile since we’ve really been out and about. The weather has been anything but kind.

So given the options we drove out the gate, turned left and ended up at the You Yangs this morning.

Among other things found a Crested Shrike-tit hard at work looking for a tasty breakfast.

And given the new look on the site, I’ll put up the photos and let them explain.

Think the new wide layout makes the photos cool, but I can’t figure out the spacing.

Be aware of those pincer like jaws that can trim branches in a snap.

There must be something down there somewhere. (and there was)

I have no idea how it knows that there is a grub inside that branch.

Took a bit of work to get the grub exposed.

Enjoy.

Where’s the SITE. What happened to Birds as Poetry???????

August 31, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in BirdsaspoetryTagged Birdaspoetry3 Comments

No, you’ve not missed something.
Change is as they say in the wind.

I’ve had to abandon the old (outdated, outmoded), template that I’ve been using since way back before when.

And pick a new one.
Several hours and I’ve managed to get this far. But, it didn’t take to kindly to all my side bar side shows and has unceremoniously dumped them all down rather inelegantly at the bottom of the page.

So more work for the poor old site operator. (me!)

In the meantime you get slightly bigger images and not so much junk to wade through and somewhere all the header are a lurking. We’ll find them.

So don’t despair.

Enjoy.

Overcast day around Lake Borrie at the Western Treatment Plant

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015Posted in Western Treatment PlantTagged Western Treatment PlantLeave a comment

Pacific Gull Hunting

August 13, 2015August 13, 2015Posted in Pacific Gull, Point CookTagged Pacific Gull, Point Cook, Point Cook Coastal ParkLeave a comment

Took an unexpected turn and ended up at the Point Cook Coastal Park. We had planned to have lunch at the Homestead Cafe. But. Its closed. Until further notice.

So we grabbed the cameras and headed for the beach.

Down by the pylons of the old jetty a Pacific Gull pair were stationed bobbing up and down in the waves. Then with a leap, they would duck under the water and emerge with a crab dinner.

These shots are not one sequence but the best from about 15 mins of watching them at work.

Well pleased as the squiggly bits go down.

Wandering around in The Long Forest

August 12, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in Long ForestTagged Long Forest, Redcapped Robin, Scarlet Robin, White-throated TreecreeperLeave a comment

Have you seen the weather details, she said!

I suppose i could have said, “Which Part?”, but when EE asks those sort of questions, the only right answer is.

“Well it looks pretty ugly, and 90% chance of rain, and high winds, but why don’t we go out anyway, if it really is dreadful we can come home early”.

“Thought you’d never ask”, she replies and whisks away to change into suitable attire

I load the car with cameras, (see other posts as to why this is ESSENTIAL survival gear). a cuppa and of course the rain jackets. Good old Driazabone. Where would be we without them.

Long Forest was the agreed destination mostly because Len had sent some pics of a Red-capped Male, and it seemed a likely place to start given my beloved Woodlands is somewhat out of bounds of late.

To its credit the weather opened up to some fine sunshine, a bit of cool overcast and no wind. Who writes those weather forecasts???

Arriving at Happy Valley Carpark, the name lifts our spirits straight away, I point gleefully to a clump of loose branches that featured in one of Len’s fotos. “He should be perching on that branch there any moment offered, “I.

“There he is on the roadway,” she replied. Oh!

And indeed this handsome little red/black and white carpark monitor was indeed out and about. Landing on the table practically right next to me before I’d even figured out which end of the camera to point.

However we obviously bored him very quickly and he was gone. We set out to walk toward the River. Not a lot of birds, but have to say I was looking at some worked over leaf litter on the ground and immediately thought “White-winged Choughs”,and sure enough within a few minutes the welcoming cry of the clan rang through the forest. We didn’t get a great look,but its another reason to return.

A Kestrel on the power lines on the way in. This is a male, the grey-head looks amazing. The first male I’ve seen this season.

Carpark Monitor. This lovely bird seems to have no fear of interacting with the human kind

The piping call of these birds is always a call to a photo challenge. White-throated Treecreeper deciding where to jump to next.

A bird of this elegance demand a perch all his own. This little stump seems just right for his view of his kingdom

After following a lot of calls we finally managed a good view of Mr Scarlet

When you are as bashful as this lass, a distant photo is as good as it gets

There is a huge dam in the area, and just one Wood Duck to enjoy it.

All coloured up and already bossing about a small clan of helpers.

Melton Environmental Group Blog Site

August 12, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in BirdsaspoetryLeave a comment

Melton Environment Group are a super bunch of community spirited people working on some great projects with significant value.

Rather than me ramble, here is their blog address.
If you are travelling out the Melton way, check them out to see what is happening.

https://natureoutwest.wordpress.com

Passing time with inflight shots

August 9, 2015August 9, 2015Posted in Black Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Fantail Cuckoo, Western Treatment PlantTagged Black Kites, Black-shouldered Kite, Crested Pigeon2 Comments

We’ve been sitting in our mobile hide (the little i20), near a tree that has a Black-shouldered Kite nest and the female in residence.
As is typical of her species, the nest is just below tree top and hidden well in among the fine uppermost branches. Once she is under the canopy she is gone!

He off course is on hunting duty, and every so often turns up with a nice fresh mouse. So all we have to do is point the camera, (attached, I might add to the WImberley Gimbal head), and wait either for him to arrive and/or her to emerge or reenter.
Now, if you’ve ever watched them, the first thing you’ll recall is that it can be a long long long time inbetween feeds.

Sometimes even she gets a bit anxious and sends out some pretty interesting Kite calls just to make sure he gets the message.
So we wait.

And of course in the waiting is the challenge. So we, well at least I, keep the shorter 300mm f4 PF on a second camera and practice my flight shots on anything that spins past.

So here are a few from the other day.

Australian Magpie

Oh, and Mr Grey-head just had to come and see what I was upto.

Crested Pigeon

Fantail Cuckoo, first I’ve seen at WTP

Fantail Cuckoo, airborne

The male on a mission. He has been told in no uncertain terms what the requirements for a snack are.

Crested Pigeon on the wing

Followed by another Creastie

Had a spot of sunshine to brighten up the day

Rockin’ and Rollin’ in Raptor Alley

July 17, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in Australian Kestrel, Black Kite, Western Treatment PlantTagged Australian Kestrel, Black Falcon, Black KitesLeave a comment

Just a quick look at any weather forecast over the past two weeks would draw the conclusion we’ve been having a spot of weather at the moment. And you’d be right. The mushy cloud days, the biting cold, the wind and the rain. And mostly the lack of Sunshine.

Its not much fun for a photographer to venture out for small birds as the forest is wet and its hard to get much light in under the canopy. Big field birds become grey blobs against even greyer backdrops.

So it was a bit unusual last Wednesday afternoon to see the sunshine sweeping along streets. “Grab the cameras and let’s go to Twenty Nine Road”, EE suggested.

So we did.

Two of the major roads that run through the Western Treatment Plant complex,- and don’t require a permit-, are The Beach Road, and Twenty Nine Mile Roads. They both have huge paddock areas that these days are no longer used for the original purpose (the disposal of the waste from Melbourne), and are now farmed over for a range of farm products. (Not for human consumption). One of the crops is maize and it is ready for harvest. I assume they use it to feed the stock cattle.

One of the benefits of all this production is off course that the mice see the left over and dropped seed and corn as an indication of bounty, and begin to multiply. And as they do, the raptors, not likely to forego a mouse dinner move in to match the increase. Which of course helps the mice produce more, and more raptors move in. …. fill in the blanks.

On a sunny afternoon, its nice to be able sit along the roadway near the harvested paddocks and watch the various hunting techniques. Kestrels and Black-shouldered Kites hovering. Whistling Kites and Black Kites hunting from the air, Goshawks swooping through prepared for anything that moves, and of course the Kites being prepared to wrestle food from the smaller hunting falcons. Add to that the pair of Black Falcons who believe any food is rightfully theirs and are prepared to out-fly anyone to get it, and a fine afternoon’s entertainment is assured.

So, rather than ramble here is a small selection from a few hours work.

Raptor Alley. The Beach Road looking toward the bay. The sharp eyed might even note a Black-shouldered Kite high on the rhs tree — Raptor Alley. The Beach Road looking toward the bay. The sharp eyed might even note a Black-shoudlered Kite high on the rhs tree

Australian Kestrel with an afternoon snack

First time I've ever seen a Goshawk just sitting. — First time I’ve ever seen a Goshawk just sitting.

When I grow up I want a nest just like this. Superb Fairy-wren sitting in a disused Magpie Lark's nest — When I grow up I want a nest just like this.
Superb Fairy-wren sitting in a disused Magpie Lark’s nest

Pair of Black-shouldered Kites resting together

These are the bird of my youth, Sitting on a gate post

Australian Kestrel, tail preening in the sunshine

Black Kite landing. The post is an old sluice to control the waste.

How tough is this mouse — How tough is this mouth

A late entry into the field Brolga at sundown

Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend

July 10, 2015July 10, 2015Posted in Western Treatment Plant, White-bellied Sea-eagle, WTPTagged Western Treatment Plant, White-bellied Sea-eagle, WTPLeave a comment

A White-bellied Sea-eagle with a catch is as Jane Austen once wrote, “in need of friends”,(well I paraphrased the good Jane just a bit).

We are at Lake Borrie in the Western Treatment Plant, early morning, far out in the middle of the Lake a young Sea-eagle has scored. (Best guess is a Pink-eared Duck).

As it settles down to prepare its meal, out of the sky drops all the Kites and Harriers in the area. Each one wanting to be the Sea-eagles best friend. “Comeon mate, share it about, I’m your best mate, maahte.”

The Sea-eagle doesn’t see that opportunity to increase its Friends list on FB and doggedly proceeded to pluck and consume the feast.
Not that the big birds didn’t try. The Harriers tried their usual ‘spook’ tactics, the Kites a variety of out staring and then hostile aggression, the ravens a mixture of sheer cunning and brute force, but in the the end, the Sea-eagle persisted.

For the Technically Ept: These images are shot on the D810, mostly with the TC 2.0iii on the 300mm f/2.8, Tripod mounted, with a 4kg bean bag to weigh it all down. And the new addition in the D810, the Electronic First Shutter ,which eliminates shutter/mirror bounce on long lenses. (Wish I’d had that with the old 600mm.).

Huge crops as the bird is so far away in the middle of the lake.