Tuesday, April 10, 2012

World Bird Wednesday - In Black and White . . .


While we were in Wentworth, New South Wales, on the Darling
River, birds were unexpectedly scarce, probably because water was
around in abundance and most waterbirds had left for better
fishing grounds.

Magpie-Lark, Grallina cyanoleuca, Little or Murray Magpie,
Mudlark, Peewie or Peewit, can be found anywhere in Australia
except in direct desert areas.


Here's the other eye in case you wondered where it was hiding.


Pied Butcherbird, Cracticus nigrogularis, a wonderful songbird


getting ready to serenade me early one morning


and breaking into a gurgle of limpid melody. Unfortunately
he has some rather unpleasant traits regarding the nestlings
and eggs of other birds.


The only waterbird I saw was, a Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax
varius, drying off after his fishing exploits . . .
Once again I have led you astray and Stewart M has pointed out the error.
This is not a Pied Cormorant but an Australasian Darter,
Anhinga novaehollamdiae, and a lifer for me.


Another look at him


and one more in cased you missed the other two.



Sorry I won't be around next week or the week after - off to the
Flinders Ranges in the far North of our state, bordering on the desert
country. See you all when I'm back!

43 comments:

  1. Beautiful post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  2. Greetings from Oman!!!

    Great captures and I really like the different poses of the Cormorant.

    Shantana

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  3. Love the black and white plumage! Gorgeous birds! Enjoy your trip and be safe!

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  4. Great photos of those beautiful birds! I especially like your shots of the cormorant, so nice!

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  5. Such beautiful birds, Arija! I love the last ones -- looks like a winged ballet dancer! Exquisite captures as always!

    Sylvia

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  6. Super captues of the 'black and white' species. Enjoy your trip northwards.

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  7. Maybe not many birds but these captures are exquisite.

    Have fun on your travels. Look forward to more posts upon your return.

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  8. Lovely series! I love the shots of the Pied Butcherbird.

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  9. Awesome photos! I remember seeing these birds when I was in Australia!
    Happy WBW to you!

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  10. Dearest Arija, I am taking a minute break from my hectic schedule today. You have been in my mind and heart. I know that sorrow you talk about. It is has made itself comfortable where joy used to sit but sometimes they seem to share the same spot, like twins. I just wanted to say hello. I have a very busy day and quite stressful so I relish this moment with you. I love you my dearest friend. Sometimes I do not express it enough. I have to go to a working meeting in 3 minutes. Take cate. Take care sweet. You are in my heart. TSUP!

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  11. Lovely birds to see Arija.
    Your images are fantastic and to me it's amazing how colourful B&W birds can be.

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  12. Great pictures. Have a good time while away and remember to get lots of pictures.

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  13. such a bunch of beauties! or should i say handsome tuxedo-wearing birds...

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  14. Such stunning shots in black and white. So beautifully detailed

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  15. Those black and white birds are quite striking against the blue sky.

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  16. Beautiful birds and photos, Arija! I love the Magpies, they look gorgeous.

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  17. A beautiful series of black and white birds. Enjoy your next trip away!

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  18. Lovely captures Arija! I would have pulled on my tuxedo had I known black and white would be in vogue!

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  19. I love them all. I am always amazed at how much nicer our black and white bird song is than that of their 'prettier' fellow natives. The cockatoo, the gang-gang and the galah cannot claim to be musical.
    Thank you for posting these delights.

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  20. Gorgeous birds Arija. So different from any of ours, although we do have Cormorants here.
    I'm hoping you are having a wonderful time, and do bring back more marvelous pictures.

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  21. First of all -- have a fantastic trip Arija!

    This post was an amazing study of black and white birds! All of whom seemed to be posing especially for you! Wonderful shots (I can almost hear that butcherbird singing).

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  22. I love the magpie! A wonderful set of bird photos.

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  23. Beautiful photos as always! Enjoy your visit!

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  24. Hi there - nice pictures - the pied butcherbirds do have a great voice.

    I think we could be looking at a Darter in the finals set of pictures. That thin eye stripe and the pointed bill don’t ring true for the Pied Cormorant.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  25. Great shots, Arija!! Cute Peewee shots. The Butcherbirds do have a beautiful song and great imitators of the songs of others. I love them but it's a shame about their unsocial behaviour with other birds.
    Great Cormorant shots too!
    Have a lovely trip to the Flinder's Ranges.

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  26. Oh my Arija, you are getting around news places for us to see. I know you must be so enjoying your getaways. The bird images shared are delightful! Take good care~

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  27. So beautiful! Also great shots of the cormoran warming under the sun.

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  28. Oh my Arija, I just heard about the earth quake, and knowing where you are, hope you are safe. Sending prayers.

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  29. These are all new birds to me, so quite an adventure. Enjoy your comments and descriptions. It is all a learning process ... but when you get to my age, you can only hope you will remember everything. Enjoy your trip and be safe. Hope to see some desert birds when you get back, yes?

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  30. The Magpie Lark is a beautiful bird.
    Congratulations on the newly-identified lifer!

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  31. Wonderful birds. Black and white birds are real striking in their own way. Now I am wondering how many B&Ws we have here in the U.S.

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  32. gorgeous BW birds. Loved the first one. The magpie-lark. Looks a little like the wagtail.

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  33. Arija, I love pied beauty! Congrats on the lifer! I hope you have a safe and exciting trip filled with wonder, beauty and awe! I will miss your visits but I hope you get a chance to renew your spirit! I look forward to your posts when you return!

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  34. Arija,
    Use springman3262@hotmail.com

    ;-)WBW!

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  35. I am thinking it is quite wonderful to be traveling and seeing new areas, i hope you are enjoying it.

    so wonderful to see your bird portraits.

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  36. Arija!
    What a pretty bird that Magpie.I can imagine his serenade to you!
    Yes I have had a time of it here in the Arizona this yr. with poor air quality. Have NOT had the luxury to get out there as in previous years to explore or even post for that matter.We head for Canada on Sunday and of course drive so it will be a comfort to be home near my own doctors.
    Have a wonderful week dear friend.
    hugs Anna xo

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  37. Love this post...great captures!

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