Was lucky enough to come across this Azure Kingfisher yesterday. They always seem to be very hard to get a good photo of as they are normally flying very fast along a tree lined creek. This one was out in the open just sitting above a dam overflow which was flowing rather well considering all the rain we have been having of late. The only thing that it would not do is turn around to show off the colour of its front. Just when I put the camera down to have a look at the bird it flew off along the watercourse.
Click on photos to enlarge
Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea)
Tree Martin (Hirundo nigricans)
After our wader count in September we took some visitors out to Carlo caravan park so they could check out the park for their camp in November. While we were looking around to see what birds were about we were watching some Welcome Swallows and Tree Martins flying over the sand flats. One Tree Martin kept flying to a metal pipe on one of the jetty gates. After closer inspection we found its mate inside on a nest. At least this nest site is well protected from the weather and from being chopped down. Not sure how many people would be aware of this activity being so close to a busy boat ramp.
11 comments:
Nice that your trip yesterday resulted in at least one interesting bird photo! Well done in seeing and then photographing the Tree Martin in that most unusual nest.
Thanks Mick very unusual to nest in a pipe but you have to make do with what you have around I guess.
what a beautiful kingfisher. So rich in its color. And the Tree Martin... I really had to look close to see it. Well hidden. :)
The blue of the kingfisher's feathers is amazing. Much brighter than the belted kingfishers I'm used to seeing.
Love the tree martin nest - adaptability at its finest.
What magnificent colors in that kingfisher! Birds can be so innovative when it comes to nest sites. Hope the Tree Martin's nest is successful.
...the blue on your kingfisher is intense--a beautiful color to say the least. I've only been able to photograph a kingfisher once. Our Belted Kingfishers are just as skittish. They are very good at screaming in terror and flying away!
Thanks NF, Wren, Vickie and Kelly I just wish I could have got a photo of the front of the Kingfisher maybe one day.
Kingfishers are so skittish aren't they? You're lucky to have photographed one even if it's the back side only :)
Thanks Bob
I will add my frustration to the other comments on trying to photograph Kingfishers. I ran across a Belted Kingfisher yesterday, flying around the pond from tree to tree, calling its crackling, loud call but never getting close enough to give me a shot at it. What a tease!
I love your Azure Kingfisher! Incredible color. And the Martins are very cool. Hanging out in their well protected nest site. Nice find Neil!
Thanks Larry I hope to get back out to the site soon hopping it will still be hanging around by then.
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