Great gift ideas from Trevor's Birding

Over the last decade I have taken many photos of birds, both here in Australia and also on overseas holidays. I have often shared some of the best photos here on this site as well as on my other site called Trevor's Birding (clickhere).

More recently I have made some of these photos available on various products such coffee mugs (see above for an example), T shirts, aprons, mouse mats, puzzles, clocks, cards and many more.

My site is part of Zazzle group and you can access TrevorsPhotos by clicking here.

Products available from Trevor's Birding

Over the last decade I have taken many photos of birds, both here in Australia and also on overseas holidays. I have often shared some of the best photos here on this site as well as on my other site called Trevor's Birding (clickhere).

More recently I have made some of these photos available on various products such coffee mugs (see above for an example), T shirts, aprons, mouse mats, puzzles, clocks, cards and many more.

My site is part of Zazzle group and you can access TrevorsPhotosby clicking here.

Australia Day

Sulphur-crested cockatoo

 In honour of Australia Day which celebrates the first European settlers' arrival in Sydney Cove in 1788, I am posting a series of iconic Australian birds.

Articles and more photos of all of these birds can be seen on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

All of these photos - and many more - can be purchased on various types of merchandise like T shirts, mugs, posters, aprons, puzzles and cap. Just go to TrevorsPhotos here.

Australian Magpie

Australian Pelicans

Galahs - Australian parrots

Products from Trevor's Birding

Over the last decade I have taken many photos of birds, both here in Australia and also on overseas holidays. I have often shared some of the best photos here on this site as well as on my other site called Trevor's Birding (click here).

More recently I have made some of these photos available on various products such coffee mugs (see above for an example), T shirts, aprons, mouse mats, puzzles, clocks, cards and many more.

My site is part of Zazzle group and you can access TrevorsPhotos by clicking here.

White-browed Babblers

White-browed babbler

Almost every day we have a family of White-browed babblers visiting our garden here in Murray Bridge in South Australia.

They are busy birds, scratching around in dirt, leaf litter and under the bark of trees as they look for beetles, caterpillars, spiders and other bird delicacies.

Their soft meowing call sometimes sounds like we are being invaded by cats.

As they move around the garden and into the adjoining scrub they tend to hop rather than fly.

You can read more about Australian birds on my other site called Trevor's Birding, together with many more photos of our wonderful birds.

Musk Lorikeet

Musk Lorikeet

Musk Lorikeets are beautiful little parrots found in many places throughout southern and eastern Australia. They can be noisy when feeding on the flowers of eucalyptus trees. The bird shown above, however, was having a good feed on the buds of an almond tree in my daughter's neighbour's garden.

You can read more about Australian birds, along with many photos of them on my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Common Blackbird in the Adelaide Hills

Common Blackbird in the Adelaide Hills

While visiting the Laratinga Wetlands in the Adelaide Hills recently I captured some good photos of a male Common Blackbird. It was foraging in the leaf litter on the side of one of the walking trails through the wetlands area.

Common Blackbirds are a common species in Europe and were introduced many years ago to parts of Australia. Since then they have spread widely and have established populations in most southern and eastern towns and cities here. In many places they are regarded as a pest species. On the other hand, many people enjoy hearing their beautiful song, especially in the spring and summer evenings.

You can see more bird photos on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

Black-fronted Dotterel, Adelaide Hills

Black-fronted Dotterel 

 

 

 

 

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Last week on my way home from Adelaide I had a few hours to spare and so I called into the Laratinga Wetlands near Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills here in South Australia.

These wetlands are a classic example of how to effectively treat effluent waste and turn it into a tourist attraction. The lovely picnic area is a delight and is very popular. The main walking and cycling trail is constantly in use by locals and visitors, and the bird life is an added attraction.

What is more - there is no nasty smell. In fact, the waste water is recycled and used in nearby orchards. Win, win, win.

The bird featured today was feeding quietly in a swampy area just off one of the walking trails. Black-fronted Dotterels are found in many parts of Australia where there is suitable habitat. They are generally only absent from the driest parts of the continent.

To see more photos of Australian birds click here.

Sacred Kingfisher

Sacred Kingfisher in our garden

A few mornings ago we were enjoying breakfast in our sun room. I was struggling over the crossword puzzle until my wife excitedly pointed out that we had an unusual visitor in the garden just a few metres from where we sat. It was a Sacred Kingfisher as shown in the photo.

I quickly ran for the camera - yes, I can still run at my age - and managed about 40 photos before our visitor flew off. While it stayed it was constantly watching the ground for breakfast. Every minute or so it would dive to ground and gobble up some fine delicacy.

Although we have seen this species on a few occasions in our garden, it has been a few years since the last visit and this is the closest we have been to one. This set of photos is also the best I have taken of this species.

You can read more and see more photos on my other site called Trevor's Birding here.

Restless Flycatcher

Restless Flycatcher

One my favourite birds here in Australia is the Restless Flycatcher. In appearance and behaviour it is similar to the Willie Wagtail (click to view). In fact, the two species are often found in the same locality, sometimes feeding on insects only a few metres from each other.

My wife also loves this species and she calls it the "Scissors Grinder" bird because its call in somewhat like a scissors noise. Many other birders also call it by this name. It is widespread throughout much of Australia except in the drier, warmer inland regions.

This bird was photographed in the Barmah Forest in northern Victoria.

You can read about and see more photos of Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

Australian Brown Treecreeper

Brown Treecreeper

Australia has many small bush birds. Included in this vast array of smaller birds are the family known as treecreepers. One of the common species in this family is the Brown treecreeper, shown in today's photo. This species is quite common in the eastern half of the continent.

They forage on the ground for insects, beetles and worms, digging through the leaf litter. They will also clamber over logs and fallen branches, as well as creeping up and down tree trunks and limbs, lifting bark looking for insects and spiders.

The individual in today's photo was quite tame, approaching to within a few metres of where we were eating our picnic lunch in the Barmah Forest in northern Victoria.

You can see more of my bird photos of Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

The Australian Galah

Galah

 

Many experts call Australia the Land of Parrots. There is even a DVD of the same name about our vast range of beautiful parrots. They are in abundance throughout all habitats in this country. Possibly the most recognisable of all our parrots is the Galah. They are common throughout Australia, often occurring in flocks numbering up to 1000s, especially in the cereal growing rural areas. They are also a popular pet and can be taught to say a dozen or more words.

You can see more photos of our beautiful parrots - and many other Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

Australian Sulphur Crested Cockatoos

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in Australia

Australia is rightly called the Land of Parrots. We have a huge range of parrots, nearly all of them very colourful and much sort after by bird lovers and aviculturalists around the world. One of these spectacular parrot species is the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, a primarily white parrot with a stunning yellow crest. In a flock of many dozens these raucous birds can create an ear-splitting noise as they fly over. A flock of hundreds is something else again!

To see more photos of Australian birds go to my other site, Trevor's Birding here.

White Storks in Morocco

White Stork in Morocco

Now for something a little different.
Normally I do not feature the birds of other countries here, but today I make an exception.
Several years ago my wife, daughter and I had the delight to travel through Morocco for a few weeks. This was primarily a holiday focussing on the cultural heritage sites of this amazing country. Whenever I had a chance, however, I looked out for birding photographic opportunities.
One of the species I encountered often was the White Stork, shown in today's photo.

You can see more of my bird photos on another of my sites, Trevor's Birding here.

Royal Spoonbill in the Adelaide Zoo

Royal Spoonbill in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

I love seeing spoonbills in their natural habitat. Ever since I saw my first one in the far north of South Australia in about 1978 I have enjoyed seeing both the Yellow-billed Spoonbill, and the Royal Spoonbill shown in today's photo.  Both are relatively common and widespread throughout much of Australia where there is suitable habitat.

We don't have many of either species near where I live in South Australia despite there being suitable environments for them. So whenever I visit the Adelaide Zoo I look for them in the walk through aviary.

You can read more about Australian birds and see more of my photos on my other site, Trevor's Birding, one of the most popular bird sites in the world.

Pied Heron in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

Pied Heron in the Adelaide Zoo

Because I am a life member of my local zoo I try to visit the Adelaide Zoo several times a year. It is about an hour's easy drive from home. Another section of the zoo is at Monarto, a quick ten minute drive from home. Yes, we have open range lions as our near neighbours. Fortunately, they are well fenced.

One of the features of the Adelaide section of the zoo is the walk through aviary. This affords me with great photographic opportunities. Today I have posted two shots of a Pied Heron, a bird of the northern parts of Australia.

For more information about Australian birds, and many more photos of them, go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Pied Heron

Sun Conure in Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

Sun Conure in Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

I don't normally feature non-Australian birds here on this site because its aim is to show photos of birds found in Australia. However, I couldn't resist showing this photo of a South American bird, the Sun Conure. I took the photo in the Adelaide Zoo in South Australia, an hour's drive from my home. I am a life member of the zoo so I visit often.

One of the most pleasing aspects of this photo is that I took it through the wire mesh of the aviary where this bird was kept.

You can read about Australian birds and see more of my bird photos on my other site called Trevor's Birding (click here).

The beautiful Eclectus Parrot of Australia

Male Eclectus Parrot of northern Australia

The Eclectus Parrots of northern Australia are one of our most colourful parrots. In fact, one of our most spectacular birds, period. Both the male and the female are brightly coloured as you can see in the photos on today's post.

This is one species I would love to see in its natural habitat, but because I haven't yet visited the far northern parts of Queensland, this is still a dream.

In the meantime, I have to be content with these photos of the beautiful birds kept in a walk through aviary in the Adelaide Zoo here in South Australia.

You can see more photos of birds and read more about our Australian birds by visiting my other site, Trevor's Birding here.

Female Eclectus Parrot in Adelaide Zoo

Beautiful Australian Lorikeets

Red-collared Lorikeets, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

One of my favourite places to visit is my local zoo in Adelaide, South Australia. The zoo has an excellent collection of birds, both Australian and exotic. There are also several walk through aviaries where the visitor can get up really close to the birds.

The photo of Red-collared Lorikeets was taken in one of the walk through aviaries. I had accidentally timed my visit to coincide with one of the keepers coming to feed the birds. I had "captive" subjects for my camera (in two senses).

Red-collared Lorikeets are a race of the more common Rainbow Lorikeet and are found in northern parts of our continent.

To see more photos of birds and to read more about Australia go to my other site Trevor's Birding.

Australian Red-rumped Parrot

Red-rumped parrot

The Australian Red-rumped Parrot is a common bird around my district here in rural South Australia. The bird shown in today's photo is a male; the female is not quite as colourful. Unfortunately, this photo does not show the bright red feathers which give this species its name.

This photo was taken at the Riverglades Wetlands area near Murray Bridge, South Australia.

You can see more photos and read more about Australian birds on Trevor's Birding here.

Australian Pelicans

I took this photo of three beautiful Australian Pelicans while on holiday in Mallacoota, Victoria.

This photo, along with many more of my bird photos, can be purchased on a wide range of merchandise items. Click here to go to Trevor's Photo site.

Budgerigars

The Budgerigar is one of Australia's beautiful parrots. They are essentially a dryland bird of the outback, but when conditions are right after good rain, this species breeds quickly in huge numbers. They can form flocks numbering in the hundreds and sometimes in the thousands. A truly spectacular sight.

The Budgerigar is also a well-loved pet bird, possibly the most popular cage bird in the world.

This photo, along with many more of my bird photos, can now be bought through my shop. You can get this photo on coffee mugs - and soon on many other items. Click here to view the range of items available.

Crested Tern, Sturt Reserve

This Crested Tern was resting on a small jetty at Sturt Reserve on the River Murray in my home town of Murray Bridge in South Australia recently.

Crested Terns are common, sometimes in large numbers, in suitable habitat throughout Australia.

For more photos and information about Australian Birds, visit my other birding site, Trevor's Birding here.

Australian Pelican, Sturt Reserve

The Australian Pelican is only member of this family present in Australia. It is an elegantly beautiful bird, a favourite of many people and common throughout the country where there is suitable habitat.

These photos were taken earlier this year at Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge, South Australia.

For more photos and information about Australian birds go to my other site Trevor's Birding here.

Silver Gulls at Sturt Reserve

The common gull here in Australia is the Silver Gull, shown in today's photos. These photos were taken at Sturt Reserve which is on the River Murray in my home town of Murray Bridge in South Australia.

When the birding is slow and there are a few Silver Gulls hanging around, I like to hone my photographic skills on them. They are such obliging subjects; besides, I like the look of them.

For more information about Australian birds go to my other site Trevor's Birding here. 

Darter at Sturt Reserve

I recently took a break from my writing and spent a little while at Sturt Reserve, a public picnic area next to the River Murray in my home town of Murray Bridge in South Australia.

While there were quite a few birds around, the one which caught my eye in particular was this Darter drying its wings on a log near the bank of the river. While this species is widespread in Australia, I have found it not to be common anywhere.

For more about Australian birds go to Trevor's Birding here.

White-bellied Sea-eagle, Taronga Zoo

White-bellied Sea-eagle, Taronga Zoo, Sydney

On many trips interstate over recent years we have visited our son and his family in Sydney where he works. On some of those occasions we have made a point of visiting the wonderful Taronga Zoo. It has to be one of my favourite zoos, and only a short drive from my son's home.

A feature of this zoo is the Bird Show, held twice daily and featuring some of Australia's wonderful birds. While this show is intended to be an educational event, it is also highly entertaining - and popular. (Hint: get to the amphitheatre at least 10-15 minutes before the scheduled starting time. After that it is standing room only.)

One of the birds featuring during one of our visits was the White-bellied Sea-eagle shown in today's photo. As you can see, it is an awe inspiring bird.

For more photos and information about Australian Birds, check out my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Chestnut Teal

Chestnut Teal

Of all the Australian ducks, the Chestnut Teal (above) is one of our more colourful members. The male is shown in the photo; the female is a duller brown colour.

Chestnut Teal can be found in suitable habitat throughout south eastern Australia. Although I have seen this species in many places, I have not recorded it in large numbers anywhere. That could just mean I'm not looking in the right places, or I'm not going birding enough.

For more about Australian Birds, check out Trevor's Birding.

Australian Wood Ducks

Australian Wood Ducks

Despite being a relatively dry continent throughout most of the country, we do have a good range of ducks and many wetlands where suitable habitat exists to maintain good numbers of waterbirds.

One of the more common species is the Australian Wood Duck shown in today's photo. Don't confuse this with the Wood Duck of North America; quite a different species.

Australian Wood Ducks are found along waterways, lakes, rivers, swamps and also in parks, gardens, ovals and any grassy areas where they can graze on the grass. They are often found in close association with people and are a common sight in picnic grounds.

For more information about Australian Birds, check out my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Pacific Black Duck

Pacific Black Duck

The Pacific Black Duck is one of the most common ducks in Australia. They are widespread throughout the country in suitable habitat. They can be seen small numbers - from one or two to about a dozen or so - through to loose flocks of many hundreds in one place. They are highly mobile and respond quickly to ideal conditions after heavy rain or flooding in different parts of the country.

For more reading about Australian Birds, check out my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Eurasian Coot

Eurasian Coot

Australia may be a very dry continent but we do have many wetlands, especially in the wetter parts of the country such as the tropical north, the eastern and southern coast and most of Tasmania. Wherever you get wetlands - creeks, rivers, swamps, lagoons, lakes and estuaries - you will find waterbirds.

One of the most common water birds in Australia is the Eurasian Coot, common in many other parts of the world as well. They can occur where there is suitable habitat: sometimes just a few individuals through to many thousands congregated loosely on a single body of water. They also frequent the shorelines, especially in grassy areas like that shown in the photo above.

For more about Australian Birds, go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Long-billed Corellas in the Adelaide Hills

Long-billed Corellas in the Mt Lofty Ranges

One of my favourite places to go birding is at the Laratinga Wetlands on the eastern edge of the town of Mt Barker here in South Australia. These artificial wetlands were constructed over a decade ago to deal with the town's waste water. Many plantings around the wetlands assure birders of a good range of bush birds in addition to the many water birds which have moved in.

On a visit some time ago I saw a small flock of Long-billed Corellas in one of the larger trees near the wetlands. This is an unusual sighting because the Little Corella is far more abundant in the Mt Lofty Ranges when compared with the Long-billed. That makes this photo even more interesting.

You can read more about Australian birds on Trevor's Birding.

A mean looking cockatoo

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo from Australia

A few months ago I was driving through the streets of Adelaide when I saw a small flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos low down in a street tree. I stopped and whipped out the camera. The birds obligingly posed for me while I took a few photos. This one was very curious about what I was doing with my camera. With a beak like that I'm sure he was wanting to take a chuck out of my finger.

Or perhaps he was just curious and meant me no harm.

Read more about Australian birds on my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo of Australia

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo of Australia

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo of Australia is a beautiful bird and much loved as a pet. It is quite an accomplished mimic and some have mastered an interesting and varied vocabulary.

In the natural environment they are locally very common, gathering in large raucous flocks. Wild birds can be very destructive, chewing the woodwork around houses and other buildings.

The two shown in today's photo were investigating a tree hollow in Burnside, a suburb of Adelaide in South Australia.

For more photos of Australian Birds, check out my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo of Australia

Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo of Australia

The Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo of Australia is a truly spectacular bird. I've seen this species in flocks of many hundreds and it is quite an unforgettable experience. This is one of the larger species of Australian parrot and is locally common in some areas but threatened in other parts of its range.

The photograph above is of a trained bird which is a part of the Bird Show at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

For more information and photos of Australian Birds, go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Spectacular Red-tailed Black-cockatoo of Australia

Red-tailed Black-cockatoo of Australia

The Red-tailed Black-cockatoo of Australia is a truly spectacular bird. Not only is it large and noisy, its colours are also amazing.

I've only seen this species in the natural environment on a handful of occasions. This photograph was taken during the Bird Show at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney a few years ago.

To read more about Australian birds, go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Golden-headed Cisticola

Golden-headed Cisticola

Golden-headed Citicolas are sometimes not easy to see, and challenging to photograph. Their preferred habitat in Australia is in long grass, reeds and tussocks in swampy areas near water. From time to time they will fly high up into the air and then glide down to the safety of cover again.

With the bird shown in the photograph above, I was lucky that it posed out in the open in full sunlight for long enough for me to zoom in and shoot it.

For more reading about Australian Birds, go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Grey Butcherbirds of Australia

Grey Butcherbird

One of the birds we often have in our garden here in South Australia is the Grey Butcherbird. Many of the smaller birds, like the honeyeaters and thornbills, set up quite a racket when the butcherbird flies in. Although they eat plenty of insects and small reptiles, Butcherbirds are also quite happy to take the young of many species of birds.

I like having them around because of their beautiful, far-reaching call which is strong and melodious.

You can learn more about Australian birds on my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Australian Brolga

The Brolga is a large long-legged bird found across northern and eastern Australia. It is a member of the crane family of birds. It stands up to 140cm tall.

The bird in the photo above was a part of the Bird Show at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

For more about Australian birds go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.

White-browed Babblers

White-browed Babbler

I am always amused with the antics of the Australian bird species, the White-browed Babbler. These comical birds hop around in our garden, mewing like cats and scattering leaf litter in all directions as they search for something delicious to eat.

Instead of flying from one spot in the garden to another, they often prefer to hop. They can hop really fast too, covering ten metres in a few seconds. They chase each other around bushes and call to each other constantly.

To read more about Australian birds go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.