Tuesday, January 24, 2012

world Bird Wednesday - At the Pond Again


The other day, just before our heatwave hit, I went to the pond
and fed the gander with the Sacred Ibis watching and an idle magpie
flying past.


Suddenly it seemed as though all the birds accepted me, I
walked around the side of the pond to quite close to the ibis
but they minded not at all. Oddly, the rosellas screeched no
alarm calls, nor did the blackbirds. I sat on my bench, half hidden
by a Wattle and little birds flitted all about me. First the Grey
Fantail (below) and a number of blue wrens.


The Little Grebes seemed bored and turned tail . . .


a Black Duck (right) went about it's business with an as yet
unidentified friend, no longer unidentified due too the kind
response of Stewart M, who recognised it as a Eurasian Coot.
Thank you once again Stewart.


another Fantail posed in the shade quite near me


and a Willie Wagtail checked me out and was joined by a friend


but then the most remarkable thing happened and the White-
faced Heron landed and grazed his way around the edge of the
pond. Here in the shade you can see where he gets his name.


Normally at the first sound of a human or car he would already
have taken flight.


The Ibis wandered over to have a chat with the heron and a
few ducks and after the heron left, I too walked to the other
side


where a Singing Honeyeater joined me


and showed how mean he could look flying straight at you with
that black robber mask on.


Another Grey Fantail. I was surprised that they are already here
in numbers as they normally come in February and presage the
autumn rains.


Here he is again out in the full sunlight.



It was a wonderful feeling to be so accepted only because the
gander ate out of my hand. I know my photos aren't so clever
but the experience was just great.

44 comments:

  1. Fantastische Bilder...

    Liebe Grüsse aus der Schweiz

    Hans-Peter

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  2. Great trip to the pond!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  3. I am agog. What a beautiful post Arija. You evoke the Garden of Eden!
    Cheers, Dave

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  4. Beautiful photos, Arija! I really like that heron!

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  5. Great shots Arija! I love the reflections on the pond... beautiful.

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  6. Of course they trust you Arija, they know you wouldn't hurt them. Nice that they would even pose for these excellent captures. I like your pond.

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  7. How perfect.
    No doubt they recognized a kindred spirit.

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  8. Oh, a great trip to the pond indeed! And what lovely birds! I love the water and you definitely have a Garden of Eden of your own! Hope your week is going well, Arija!

    Sylvia

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  9. I can almost se the smile on your face.This must have been a very special time.

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  10. Great Photos do you have a camera with a zoom?.
    what type of camera do you have.

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  11. Great photos and what a lovely experience to have all the birds stay around for a while.

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  12. The pond looks like a wonderful place to visit Arija.. I could spend hours just sitting and watching wildlife there.
    Lovely images xx

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  13. Lovely shots! What a great feeling it must have been to be accepted by these beautiful birds!

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  14. Wow, what a variety of lovely little creatures all in one sitting!
    It must have been a wonderful treat to sit and enjoy them all.

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  15. your photos are delightful and it most definately must've been a wonderful visit to the pond. I enjoyed each of your photos.

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  16. I believe you're turning into the Bird Whisperer, Arija - it's the only explanation for their acceptance of you so close. I loved watching the birds with you - such a variety at your pond.

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  17. Beautiful collection! I love herons most!

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  18. Hi Arija, what a great habitat you have there for the birds and critters. It is cool they are getting use to your trips to the pond. I enjoyed all the birds and your photos. Have a great day.

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  19. Sinbad and I on the Loose has left a new comment on your post "world Bird Wednesday - At the Pond Again":

    Neat story and photos. I like that Honeyeater.

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  20. it sounds as though you had a wonderful time with your feathered friends, so wonderful!

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  21. They birds know Mother Nature's ambassador when they see her. :)

    xoxo

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  22. Some of those birds are familiar -- all of them are beautiful! Thanks for the tour -- you have a great "backyard" -- I love visiting it!

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  23. What a lovely experience indeed, Arija. I also appreciate it when the birds aren't skittish and you can enjoy them. I love the reflections of the ibis and heron in the water. I have never seen a White-faced Heron. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're keeping well. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Jo

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  24. What a sweet collection of wonderful birds!
    I totally love the fantail and the Honeyeater - wow!

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  25. What a fantastic experience! I would have had a very hard time leaving the pond that day. Special happenings like that come rarely.

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  26. Hi there - what a great set of birds to have with you.

    Your Black Duck’s unknown friend is a Eurasian Coot. As is 'as bald as a coot' from its bald white head!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  27. You have there a wonderful place to go and see birds, Arija! So new birds to me to see, thank you for showing them!

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  28. Fantastic series of photos Arija. I love to see and learn about birds in different parts of the world. Thank you and thank you also for dropping by and leaving such a lovely comment. I agree with you 100 percent.

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  29. Gorgeous, gorgeous birds, and all the photos are just fabulous!

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  30. Oh what a wonderful delightful way to spent time at the pond. Great series of shots!

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  31. The birds at the pond have come to accept you, Arija. Inspiring post!

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  32. Honeyeaters, Fantails, Ibis, Herons and more, oh my what a glorious walk about you most certainly had Arija and to get as close as you did, how marvelous!!!

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  33. That would be quite the experience, and I love your photos. I've never had a wild bird eat out of my hand like that.

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  34. Lovely captures of all those wonderful birds. What a great day you must have had!!! Mickie ;)

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  35. Wow, what an exciting experience Arija! Isn't it a total delight when the creatures around us accept us as a friend?

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  36. What lovely pics! The Ibis are my favourites.

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  37. Thank you for a warming and beautiful stroll through your world!

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  38. Absolutely Arija. What a wonderful encounter with all your buddy birds.They seem to know who their friends are.
    B.

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  39. Of course they accepted you..they know a friend...

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  40. Esther Garvi said . . .

    They are all so beautiful.

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