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

Willow Bottlebrush – the Flowers

In my previous post, I wrote about the new growth red leaves of the Willow Bottlebrush. Since then, my Willow Bottlebrush (Melaleuca salicina) has burst into flower.

Willow Bottlebrush, Callistemon salignus

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I am the owner of these photographs and therefore the copyright holder. Please respect this right.

Willow Bottlebrush

The new foliage of the Willow Bottlebrush or Callistemon salignus is pink to red. I think this is one of its best qualities. The other is its yellow flowers, which are just forming now in late spring.

Willow Bottlebrush or Callistemon salignus an Australian native plant, this one is growing in a private garden in south-west Victoria, Australia

Willow Bottlebrush or Callistemon salignus an Australian native plant, this one is growing in a private garden in south-west Victoria, Australia

The new foliage of the Willow Bottlebrush or Callistemon salignus is red or pink.

Footnote:

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

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Acknowledgements

I respect and acknowledge the Gulidjan people as the First Peoples and Traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which I live.

I acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.

Australian Indigo

Australian Indigo is an excellent habitat plant for wildlife. It is a rich source of pollen and nectar for insects, including bees and wasps, as well as a good food source for butterfly larvae.

Australian Indigo (Indigofera australis),growing in the rainforest section of the Botanic Gardens at Colac in Victoria, Australia

Common and widespread, Australian Indigo grows in a number of different habitats such as open woodlands, eucalypt forest as well as desert. It also is found in the margins of rainforest.

Australian Indigo

Australian Indigo

Australian Indigo

Footnotes:

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

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Acknowledgement:

I respect and acknowledge the Gulidjan people as the First Peoples and Traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which I live.

I acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.

The Common Bronzewing

The Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) is a heavily built medium sized pigeon which is extremely shy. It rarely allows anyone to approach closely. Its true beauty is revealed when the light hits its wings at the correct angle.

A male Common Bronzewing shows its true colours in the sunlight.

Footnote:

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

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Acknowledgement: I respect and acknowledge the Gulidjan people as the First Peoples and Traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which I live.

I acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.

Afternoon Visitors

Weather wise, yesterday wasn’t much to write home about. The day was wet cold and grey. Even though it is spring here in Australia, the days have been more like winter. Then, late in the afternoon, the sun broke out, and bathed everything in a beautiful light.

It was then I spotted this pair perched outside my kitchen window. With my camera in hand, I slowly stepped out onto the back deck and started snapping away.

A male Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

The female Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

It is amazing how close I can get to these wild birds. I am rarely disappointed in getting close-up photos when the King Parrots visit.

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

Superb Fairy-wrens

The Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) has been voted as Australia’s favourite bird. And, when the male is in full breeding colours, it is easy to see why he is such a standout.

The following photographs are of a pair the have been appearing in my backyard for about 5 or 6 years, now. They have given me great joy being able to watch their antics and the satisfaction of capturing their photo on numerous occassions.

Male Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) in full breeding colours

Female Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

This breeding season, however, a new pair seem to have moved into the neighbourhood. They were difficult to capture with the camera, but my persistence eventually paid off.

Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

She stopped long enough for a sing-song. Perhaps she was happy to be chased by this handsome male.

Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

Like many small birds, they move fast and do not stop in one spot for long. This pair were no exception and I consider myself fortunate to have a record of their visit.

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