New birds for me

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birdie
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New birds for me

Today I went back to the same place that was full of Mistletoe birds a few months ago feeding on the red berries and today was so different. not a mistletoe bird or a Silver eye in sight . Instead I found this lovely bird who flitted around me in a very uncaring manner. I have researched and I think it is a female Mangrove Golden Whistler, even though it seems we would be further South of where they would normally be found.



I couldn't tell if t his was the same bird or another female GW
This was one I flushed out of the long grass, I think it is a little grassbird

Araminta
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I absolutely agree with you birdie, I think the first ones are Mangrove Golden Whistlers.Beautiful photos, how close did you get? Did your shutter make a noise? Just the way the GW looks, as if she is listening to some noise?The second bird, I don't think I have seen before? I love Golden Whistlers, Their eyes are so round and big, like the eyes of a baby!!There seems to be some sunshine where you live? Lucky you!!

M-L

jaytee
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Beautiful sharp photos of a gorgeous bird.

What camera/lens did you use?

Jeanne
Brisbane QLD

birdie
birdie's picture

Thankyou Araminta and Jaytee, glad you liked them. I use just a very basic amateur kit Jaytee.... the EOS 1000D plus EF 75-300 very basic lens!!
I did use a monopod too to stop my really bad camera shake.
Marie Louise I got fairly close as she was on a branch just about 15 feet away I guess and with the 300 it was enough to fill the frame vertically. I think it helps that this wasn't a very shy bird and didn't move too fast unlike the red backed fairy wrens I also saw.

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Araminta
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I'm thinking of getting a monopod, do you keep it attached to the camera, all the time? Does it take some practice to get used to? Is it worth it?

M-L

ed
ed's picture

Hi Birdie,
Not sure about #1 looks like it could be a mangrove GW but it is a long way south, did you get any pictures showing the birds back?
#2 looks a bit like an Olive W. we don't see them up here so I'm just going on the field guide.
#3 I think this is a Tawny Grassbird.
Great pictures.

Ed Townsville NQ

Araminta
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ed, what do you mean,1 & 2? They are the same bird, I think?(what ever they are!)

M-L

birdie
birdie's picture

Hi Ed, I think the first two are the Mangrove GW because of this ...her back is olive and in every respect is the same as the illustrations in my guides. the 2nd whistler there I think is a female GW it was taken in a tree about 30 meters away

And i htink I just wrote the wrong grassbird there....you are probably right about that I knew it was a grassbird of some description. My brain is not working properly sorry!

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Meave
Meave's picture

Araminta, Bob uses a monopod, finds that it helps stop the camera moving if you have to try and keep it still for long - easier to carry around, he collapses it down to carry and it's not bad. He does keep it attached when he is walking around looking for a photo.

Meave

birdie
birdie's picture

Araminta it makes a huge difference to the quality of my shots when I use it. I carry it folded up and it is no trouble now that I am used to it. Once I am amongst the birds i do just leave it on and if I am moving to the next bush then I collapse it but leave it attached . I always leave the top two clips done up for ease of mobility and then when I need it I don't have to reach down too far to extend it and therefore dont disturb the birds or my shot too much.

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Araminta
Araminta's picture

Thanks Meave and birdie for the information about the monopod.I just wonder, if it makes too much noise and chasses birds away? It might need some practice extending it fast enough, before the birds are gone! LOL

M-L

birdie
birdie's picture

No noise at all M-L......it is easy once you get used to it. I would never be bothered carrying a tripod at this stage with the kind of gear I have, but the mono is proving to be a very good investment.

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Owen1
Owen1's picture

These are all tough to ID Birdie.
1 looks lots like a Mangrove GW female
3 looks like a Tawny Grassbird.
Nice shots BTW and great finds whatever they turn out to be!

Cheers, Owen.

cathshane

Great shots Birdie, i'm using the same kit as you and Cath has the same body with a 80-200 with a 2x teleconverter, so you think the monopod would be a good investment?

birdie
birdie's picture

Hey Cathshane, thanks . And yes if movement is a problem with using full zoom then I would say it is a worthwhile investment. So many of my bad shots are caused by either bad light or camera movement ..and usually the combination of the two. The monopod just crisps things up so much and means I can lower the ISO when possible to prevent the excess noise in the shots from the low light with the fast shutter speeds. I find it easy to carry and once you are used to it the extending process is a piece of cake. I would just like to get a snap head for it and I will be set. The one I am using is a Slik lighty Pod. It is a mid range and quite sturdy enough with the snap release legs for ease of use.

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Tassie

Nice shots Birdie.

cathshane

Thanks Birdie.

Qyn
Qyn's picture

Great shots and wonderful info regarding the monopod. I have seen them recommended on Ausphotography.

Alison
~~~~~~
"the earth is not only for humans, but for all animals and living things."

sparrow
sparrow's picture

Very nice photos,i like the second one she seems to be looking straight at you,its amazing how many birds are being seen outside what would be considered there normal range.

sparrow
sparrow's picture

Very nice photos,i like the second one she seems to be looking straight at you,its amazing how many birds are being seen outside what would be considered there normal range.

birdie
birdie's picture

Thanks everyone. I was personally very happy with that shot of her looking at me Sparrow...she was indeed very inquisitive and reminded me of a Fantail in NZ the way she followed me through the grass and kind of hung around catching insects while I observed her.

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Windhover
Windhover's picture

I am not sure of the first, but your second one looks like a Tawny GB to me. Habitat just does not look right for a LGB. Awesome finds!!

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