More Robins and a Parrot

I am lucky to have seven species of Robins within a few hours of my place, and today I was lucky enough to find and photograph the most common sort; Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis. We pulled in for a picnic lunch at a roadside TSR (Travelling Stock Reserve) just north of Barraba and were greeted with a small number of these Robins and about six endangered Brown Treecreepers. As you can tell from the pcitures, the Robins like perching on any branch and are inquisitive. They dart onto the ground to catch their prey. They feed on insect, spiders and anthropods.

After we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the winter sun and out of the winter breeze we went for a walk up a nearby hill where this view welcomed us!

Panorama from the top of Lower Bottom Mountain TSR, Barraba

 After a short rest up top it was time to return to the car and continue on our journey. My wife headed off and arrived at our picnic spot first. I saw her motion for me and she had her "I've found a bird" look..... I was able to get one photo of the bird she found before my camera battery ran out of charge.

Male Turquoise Parrot

She had found a small group of Turquoise Parrots Neophema pulchella. They are endangered. In fact they were considered extinct in 1915 before returning gradually since then. They had been caught for averies and shot for pie-fillings! Their beauty is not really shown by that photo. 

Sadly, since my camera had ran out of batteries I couldn't get any more photos. Thus, the next bird landed in a low bush right next to me and it was a male Golden Whistler..... oh well let's hope I can get his picture next time!