Wednesday 10 July 2013

Sterling's Crossing

Sterling's Crossing is in the Mary Valley just outside Imbil on the way to Borumba Dam, and is a great spot to go birding.
Click on photos to enlarge.
 
 Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus)
Not long after the turnoff, flocks of Dusky Woodswallow were flying over the paddocks and perching on fences. Some landed in a tree and stayed long enough for photos.

 Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
This beautiful Eastern Spinebill was taking nectar from Salvia growing beside the road. I have been trying to get photos of  this species for some time, and was lucky enough to have this one in the right place at the right time, just as we were heading back to the car to go home.



 Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii)
While we were boiling the billy for lunch, this Lewin's Honeyeater decided it was time for lunch as well. 

 Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti) (Male)
Then the Variegated Fairy-wren family decided to check us out. Good place to have lunch when all the birds came to us.

 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus)
Just a short walk from where we had lunch, we came across this Shining Bronze-Cuckoo.

 New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
New Holland Honeyeater were all around the area, and this one was gathering dead flower petals for nesting material from the Wild Tobacco.

The Lewin's Honeyeater liked the Wild Tobacco as well.

For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday.

22 comments:

mick said...

A great series of birds. The Eastern Spinebill is especially beautiful but I wouldn't mind seeing that cuckoo again!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

You have the most interesting and colorful birds in Australia! I especially like the Eastern Spinebill and the Fairy Wren!

Karen said...

Oh I really enjoy seeing these exotic birds!

Vores have said...

Great image series :)

Snail said...

That does look like a good birding spot, Neil. Even better when the birds turn up for lunch!

Phil Slade said...

That really is a good birding spot Neil. Lovely Lewis' Honey Eater shot, the Spinebill too.

eileeninmd said...

Great collection of birds, my favorite are the Spinebill and the Fairy Wren.

i stora drag said...

Exciting bird you've seen!
Greetings Pia

Hootin Anni said...

Terrific birds Neil!! That Easter Spinebird is aptly named.

Arija said...

A great place for birding indeed!. Those eastern spinebills are darlings. I have them in my mountain garden but since I spend most of my daylight houre on the farm, I seldom see them.

TexWisGirl said...

you get such great birds that we don't have here. love the sweet tail end on the first one. the spinebill is beautiful!

NatureFootstep said...

so many great looking birds. What a joy to go out birding then. Love to see it.

Carole M. said...

oh you got a great variety of birds on this visit. Lovely shots of the Eastern Spinebill - I could hear one calling outside as I read your post. There is just the one that I see comes in on a couple abutilons (Chinese Lanterns). I keep these especially for the spinebill, a good winter resource. I'd love to see the bronze cuckoo for myself too. Great pics!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Wow that New Holland is gorgeous- would love to see!

TheChieftess said...

Interesting shots! Thanks for visiting MammothLakesDP.blogspot.com!

Faye said...

If I had to play favorites, it would be the eastern spinebill--such an elegant bird with that glossy back. How fortunate you were to capture shots of so many varieties in one outing. They're all real treasure shots.

Irma said...

Beautiful collection of exotic birds.
The last picture is my favorite.
Regards, Irma

Daniela Augustka said...

Very nice birds.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Spinebills, Fairy-Wrens and Honey Eaters! All beautiful and so exotic to me.

Larry said...

Wow! What an awesome group of birds Neil! I can see why you have been after that Eastern Spinebill. Congrats on getting these great shots.

Stewart M said...

Nice set of pictures - saw some Dusky Woodswallows a couple of days ago in Central Australia - but other wise things were a wee bit quiet.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

EG CameraGirl said...

The Eastern Spinebill is such a handsome bird.