Willow Bottlebrush

The Willow Bottlebrush (Melaleuca (Callistemon) salicina): New growth emerges as red leaves. It is Spring.

This is a small tree I have growing in my backyard. It has white papery bark and spikes of flowers which are creamy in colour. Some species have white flowers and there is also a red one.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Preening Crimson Rosella

As I stood on the front veranda, this Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans moved close to me and began preening. and stretching its wings.

Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans stretching its wings

Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans stretching its wings

Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans stretching its wings

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

Male Australian King Parrots are the only Australian parrots to have a completely red head.

A male Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Spring

The following pictures are of native Australian flowers I have grown.

Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa)

Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa)

Banksia Giant Candle (Banksia ericifolia x Banksia spinulosa)

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

The Unfaithful Male Superb Fairy-wren

Fun Facts: A fun fact about Australia’s favourite bird.

The male Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) has been described as the least faithful bird in the world. Females may be courted by up to thirteen males in half an hour.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Common Bronzewing

These photos are of a male Common Bronzewing or Phaps chalcoptera, just one of a flock of nine or so resident in my backyard.

The male is identified by the rich cream coloured forehead. The female has a grey forehead, and the white line under the eye is wider. Her breast is grey-buff.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

The Former Clunes Post Office and Telegraph Office

The former Clunes Post and Telegraph Office was constructed in 1879 by Messrs Lewis and Roberts to a design by the Public Works Department. 

Now privately owned as a residence, it is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for its preserved example (Renaissance Revival style) of the design of the era. It replaced the original post office, a much smaller building, erected in 1861.

The former Clunes Post and Telegraph Office

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

The Elusive Honeyeater

There is a New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) which frequents my backyard. I have tried many times to photograph it without success. This weekend I have managed to get a couple of quick snaps that I am happy to post. (I have plenty of bad or blurred shots.)

These birds are active eaters and will dart from flower to flower in search of nectar, a high energy food. They also will eat fruit, insects and spiders.

The New Holland Honeyeater will breed any time of the year but mainly in summer and winter. An adult pair may raise two or three broods in a year. Clutch size is 2 to 3 eggs which will take about 18 days to incubate. The fledgling birds will spend 16 days in the nest. 

All photos posted here, were taken by me and are copyright.

Crimson Rosellas

Crimson Rosellas are found in south-east Queensland, coastal New South Wales and much of Victoria. They belong to the subspecies elegans (Platycercus elegans elegans). I have good numbers of them visiting my backyard, especially when I put seed out. It’s mid-winter here where I live and the cold conditions we are experiencing seems to have sharpened their appetites.

The photos above are immature Crimson Rosellas. They were perched near one of the feeding stations, all fluffed up to ward off the winter cold.

This photo is of an adult bird. It takes about fifteen months for the immature birds to get to this stage.

All photos posted here, were taken by me and are copyrighted.

The Female of the Species

In dimorphic birds, most people will recognise the male, which is often brightly coloured. Too often the female will be referred to as “that little brown bird”. I hope these photographs show the beauty of these female birds.

This is a female Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris in south-west Victoria, Australia

A female Satin Bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, south-west, Victoria, Australia. In winter, Satin Bowerbirds eat their “greens”.

The female Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus, south-west Victoria, Australia. While the male of this species has white spots, the female is easily identified by her yellow spots.

Mother and daughter – these are Superb Fairy-wrens, Malurus cyaneus, south-west, Victoria, Australia. The juvenile bird is in the front.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography