Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Creative Challenge ~ Hanging In The Balance.

 

For many weeks now they have been coming.

 

here is looking at you lori  

Yes!! 

My colourful little ' friends '.

They are, cheeky, twittering, noisy, nectar and fruit eating Lorikeets and from my observations so far, I have managed to identify three different types.

Hiding amongst the apple tree with the still somewhat dense cover of leaves remaining from summer, they camouflage themselves beautifully wearing the naturally bright colours which nature has magically bestowed upon these pretty little native birds.

 

Brilliantly coloured and flighty, these birds also know a feast when they spy it from their flight paths whilst soaring as they do into the taller trees for a good vantage position before sweeping down to eat the apples still remaining on my apple tree.

 

Usually found in small flocks it is not unusual to see the Musk Lorikeet and the Rainbow Lorikeet cohabiting with the Little Lorikeet in the one tree.

So it is here I sit reading through comments or using my muse to create a new post when I hear their shrill little sound, striking a cord in my ear.

You see the apple tree is very close to the room where I sit at the pc and just through the double glass door is the apple tree at the side of the patio.

 

You think it is easy for me to grab my camera for that perfect photo? Noway, by the time I grab the camera and open the screen door they have been alerted to my presence and retreated on the wing to another venue where they then watch me and wait patiently for my return indoors. I retreat inside and watch them return as, quick as a wink, to eat more of my wonderful Granny Smith green apples.

 

This challenge is about ‘Hanging in the Balance’ so what does it have to do with birds and my intent on capturing some really good Aussie native bird photos?

Well probably nothing at all if we take this phrase as an idiom. However I wish to take this phrase literally and using a photo taken from my by now full Lorikeet album, I will relate the story of the ‘balancing’ capture below.

 

 

lorikeet in the balance

 

Mid morning and the Lorikeets are there in the tree. My camera for a change is nearby and charged. I decide to move through another doorway to the patio and use the large outdoor umbrella as my cover from those, little eye spy eyes, always on alert.

 

The tree is above me now and I hear the rustle of the birds as they scamper along the branches to nibble on the remaining apples. At this point I stop and focus my camera for a capture. I am now ready to click when one of the birds comes into the frame. A moment goes by and the rustle above my head takes my attention away from the centre of the tree, where I know there is a gathering of lorikeets.

 

As I look above, my camera positioned for a photo, it happens. I am not sure who got the biggest shock the little lorikeet or myself. Instinct took over as the bird looked at me and my finger clicked this little guy literally hanging in the balance on the small branch of the apple tree. He sees me and I see he! We both agree, this was an awesome moment because he actually allowed me a couple more photos before flying off with the others, who by now were aware of my presence.

 

lorikeet hanging

 

I have some wonderful photos of these very pretty little birds and will need to spend more time sorting through my full bird albums now, as the photos have accumulated dramatically since my technique for photographing these birds has improved.

Milli 09 

 

 

Tour Starts Here

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lorikeets

34 comments:

  1. Yeah More more......
    cool bird images.....Love the colors these are like in your yard?

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  2. Beautiful photos and well written - we only see such birds in captivity here.

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  3. amazing beautiful creatures...thank you for your patience and persistence - this serves this weeks expression delightfully.

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  4. Yes these are right near me too LOL. Thanks Reba.

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  5. I guess many take the birds for granted but I enjoy them being around most definitely. Thanks Pat.

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  6. That is sweet of you to say and understand because it surely has made me indulge in much patience to get some delightful captures of the birds here. Thank You

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  7. Great personality captured in your snap of the lorikeet who stayed behind! Do they devour the apples or just nibble on them?

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  8. Well you know what I'm like for birds?
    Well these fit the bill nicely.
    Colourful, lively and attractive without high maintenance. lol
    Alas, still filled with chatter.

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  9. They make a huge mess as they nibble on the apples never quite devouring the whole apple. What is left falls to the ground. Thanks Ren.

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  10. Nice to see you Dani and big thanks.

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  11. Yes Bill there is chatter but it is Good chatter LOl Great to see you too!

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  12. you are truly blessed to be able to enjoy those lovely birds and very astute with the camera to catch them LOL

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  13. A different take Danette on a very interesting theme this week. Thanks for coming up with the challenges each week.

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  14. Thanks for participating! It's my pleasure *grin*

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  15. I love photography. I was drawn into your story hanging on every word waiting for the capture. Great read.

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  16. Surprised then?
    I am too. Just three days of hell.
    The house is sparkling it is so clean.
    Hope she's not planning a funeral, mine. lol

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  17. Arent they just glorious..............

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  18. Worth the wait and so worthy the challenge. Cool

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  19. Could I borrow your patience? To have waited long enough to catch them in the act(of course I mean the balancing act ;P) and then to have written about it..... ok jokes aside. This is an awesome picture and write up.

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  20. Just beautiful, the birds, your caring and love so well depicted in words and pictures here.

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  21. I enjoy the wonderful blend of images and color.....thank you

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  22. I love birds...you have captured them beautifully....sorry for the late comment...got visitors from Australia the past weeks...

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  23. My kind of blog, Milli. Am going to recommend this today. Thanks, my long time Australian friend and inspiration. Three

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  24. I watch the amazing activity of birds alot in Madera Canyon near Tucson, Arizona. Actually, anywhere I happen to be camping, hiking, or walking. So I really enjoy blogs like this, and hope my friends do today also. God created them with such energy, and so beautiful in colors of every shade. Three

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  25. Hi there Mr Three. I to love to hear the sounds of nature at work and for me it is a delight to listen to the birds as they sing loudly around my home here. I thank you sincerely for recommending this post of mine to your friends. As for the birds and the colours I am never bored watching them darting in and out of the garden they are as brilliant as a rainbow. Thank you once more from Aus...Milli.

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  26. Great Shot! Beautiful photos!
    Thanks for sharing!
    ~Rosa~ :o)

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  27. very nice, thank you for sharing

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  28. Such a beautiful and brilliantly coloured birds...your photos are stunning...Thanks for sharing...Great job...

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  29. wow, such a beautiful blog. I like it very well.Thank you for stopping by!

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  30. Lovely birds. My sister would love to see these. She raises larger birds

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