Phylidonyris nigra (White-cheeked Honeyeater)
This very attractive little bird is a Phylidonyris nigra (White-cheeked Honeyeater) , a native of Australia and very common in my neck of the woods due to the proliferation of Banksia and Grevillea trees in the region which are the bird’s main food source and habitat.
The photograph was made in the heath land off the main track along the Ocean Drive Fire Trail in the Queen’s Lake Nature Reserve near North Haven, about a twenty five minute drive south of Port Macquarie beaches, NSW, Australia, on a stormy autumn afternoon.
These birds keep a “safety zone” between themselves and any stalking photographers of about 5 to 6 meters ( 15 to 20 feet) and while they will keep within the foliage most of the time, occasionally curiosity overcomes them and they will pop out onto a nearside branch or up on the top of the bush to take a peek.
I had to use my camera’s 300mm 10.7x Zoom lens to the limit for this shot and was quite fortunate to have sufficient light for the shutter speed as at full stretch my Fuji will only open up to f/4.9. I had a lot of fun with the 20 or so birds that were in the little area in which I was standing and bagged this shot near the end of my session when they finally came as close to me as they dared.
Fuji S9600: RAW, 1/100sec @ f/4.9, ISO80, High powered pop-up flash, Hand held.
S7RAW & Photoshop CS.
Visit the Aussie Birds collection in my BubbleSite for more fine feathered friends.
Enjoy!
AUSSIE BIRDS
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Phylidonyris nigra – White-cheeked Honeyeater
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Gallinula tenebrosa & Threskiornis molucca
Phylidonyris nigra (White-cheeked Honeyeater) belongs to the following groups:
The Birds Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Torfinn Johann...
A wonderful bird. Great colours, and details.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Torfinn,
Good to see you could make it to the Ocean Drive Fire Trail to stop and admire this flighty honeyeater.
Thank you very much for being first to spot this one and for leaving such an encouraging ”...wonderful…” wrap for my efforts that day.
GB
Dennis
WarrenMackenzie
Dennis, your 10.7x Zoom did wonders for you with this particular. Makes you feel you could reach right into the picture and touch the fellow. Great shot. Warren
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Warren,
Good to see you could make it to the Ocean Drive Fire Trail to stop and admire this flighty honeyeater.
Thank you very much for leaving such an encouraging ”...Great shot…” wrap for my efforts that day.
It is at times like this when I don’t feel too bad about not having the reach I could if I were to own a DSR with a good birder lens.
GB
Dennis
Anne Smyth
lovely little bird -
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Anne,
So nice to see you along the fire trail on my birdy hunt.
Your “lovely…” comment for this little chirper os very encouraging and most appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Judith Winde
What a beautiful bird! You captured it perfectly, Denns!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Judith,
So nice to see you along the fire trail on my birdy hunt.
Your ”...beautiul bird!...” comment for this little chirper is very encouraging and most appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Maximus
Beautiful Dennis, the texture of the Banksia leaves just adding to the overall effect. :)
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Max,
So nice to see you along the fire trail on my birdy hunt.
Your “Beautiul…” comment for this little chirper is very encouraging and most appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Marvin Collins
Excellent shot Dennis!! Beautiful colors and detail.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Marvin,
So nice to see you along the fire trail on my birdy hunt.
Your “Excellent…” comment for this little chirper is very encouraging and most appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Prasad
Beautiful work.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Prasad,
So nice to see you along the fire trail on my birdy hunt.
Your “Beautiful…” comment for this little chirper is very encouraging and most appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day David Campbell …. wherever you are …..,
Thank you for adding this work to your favourites. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it.
GB
Dennis
Marilyn Harris
Beautiful!! Love your work!!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Blossom,
So nice to see you along the fire trail on my birdy hunt.
Your “Beautiful!!…” comment for this little chirper is very encouraging and most appreciated.
So glad you are enjoying the experience. 8-)
GB
Dennis