Beautiful birds in small packages

There is a lot of beauty to be found if only people were to go out and look for them! I have managed to photograph just a few over the past few weeks but I thought I should share them with you. This afternoon we stopped in at a little forest near Gunnedah after visiting the church there in the morning. Two weeks ago the Tamworth Birdwatchers stumbled across the rare Swift Parrot on its winter holiday from Tasmania. I was hoping it might still be there.... alas it had flown, probably heading southwards again. But this magnificent parrot, the Australian Ringneck (Mallee race) greeted our family. Even my little son enjoyed its colours as he looked through the binoculars.

Mallee or Australian Ringneck parrot at Black Jack State Forest.

Last Saturday afternoon we spent at home. Late in the afternoon I took my camera for a walk to the river. The sun had nearly set, but a flock of Plum-headed Finches were hanging out on the river bank. Photographing them was a challenge with the lighting and their busy-ness. Their plum-red foreheads are just stunning in real life! These photos were the best I could get.....

Plum-headed Finch 

Plum-headed Finch

Immature Plum-headed Finch

But lets revisit the parrot family.... here are a few photos of Musk Lorikeets. They are fairly common out here, but most often as they dash through the sky on-track to their next blossom meal. Once you do find them stopped they are noisy and busily moving from the top of one flowering tree to next, often arguing with each other along the way. These ones paused long enough for a few photos.

Musk Lorikeet grooming itself

Musk Lorikeet

The last photos worthy of showing are not as colourful, but still lovely.... the first is the Southern Whiteface. I returned to see how the nesting was going at Dowe National Park. Unfortunately it was going real well, I think. They were very suspicious of me but would not lead me back to their nest. I assume that means the other partner was incubating quietly. Babies soon!!

Southern Whiteface at Dowe National Park

The final bird for this blog is a Noisy Miner. Not beautiful. Not even a nice personality. They often dominate an area to the detriment of smaller species. They are basically a native pest. But I have included it because it wakes me up most mornings. Who needs Kookaburras when these guys squark and squeal before sunrise each day!

Noisy Miner, a native but annoying