Seeing lovely, red breast plumage on a small bird always gets me excited as it will probably be a robin. That Sunday morning I went to the Pinnacle Nature Reserve because I had seen so many lovely photographs taken at this location uploaded to Canberra Nature Map, I just had to go to see for myself. Very soon after arriving I was again attracted by some Gray Fantails, which were a prelude to another group of small birds, including the Scarlet Robin at the top of the post. I then kept seeing these robins for the rest of the morning. Getting to the reserve had not been hard, just a 20 minute drive from my house and I was seeing some lovely birds in a lightly wooded setting. The area was better than I imagined and there was still so much more to see. I hope you enjoy the photographs below from another magical morning.
A line of dead trees against a foggy sky at the Pinnacle Nature Reserve
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 25mm, f/20 and 1/40 SEC])
A fallen tree against the same atmospheric sky
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 250, 18mm, f/14 and 1/80 SEC])
A dead tree reflected in the dam at the Pinnacle Nature Reserve
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 18mm, f/22 and 1/8 SEC])
Grey Fantails (Rhipidura albiscapa) are common birds and they have a call that almost sounds like a very small dog with a short, high pitched bark. They feed in a very busy way, often flying out in a tight circle from a branch to snatch food on the wing before landing back on the same branch. I cannot get enough of them, as they seem to attract other small birds to be with them, as occurred this morning. Three fantails drew my attention with their calls and flying, before a large group of small birds descended on the trees.
The Grey Fantail, always worth watching these birds to what other birds accompany them
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/500 SEC])
As part of the larger group there were at least three Scarlet Robins (Petroica boodang), with a male and possibly two females. The male was calling but the females were not making any sound. The male would sometimes fly to a branch, land, call and depart. The female would then land on the branch. I cannot be certain but these birds, or another group of Scarlet Robins ranged over about 200 metres, only going to trees about 20 meters either side of the small, almost dry creek. The last tree I saw them in was the larger eucalyptus beside the small dam. That was where I photographed the female below. I ended up lying on my back, photographing straight up to get the best angle.
The male Scarlet Robin calling
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/500 SEC])
A female Scarlet Robin
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/250 SEC])
Also among the group of small birds were some Striated Pardalotes (Pardalotus striatus). They were busy hunting among the leaves for food. I knew they were around as I could hear their lovely call.
A Striated Pardalote looking for food
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/500 SEC])
The eastern side of the small dam had reeds as well as a branch sticking out. I heard bird noises, then a male Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) flew from the reeds to the branch. As Canberra is approaching winter these birds are losing their blue colouration, moulting back to a more sensible brown to blend in with the undergrowth. The blue feathers, which are only blue as they reflect light in a certain way, are both expensive in energy to grow as well as making it hard for male birds to hide from predators. These little fairy-wrens are a great example of how for many animals life is all about balancing energy requirements.
A male Superb Fairy-wren melting out of its breeding plumage
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1250 SEC])
In the same area there were three Red-browed Finches (Neochmia temporalis). They were almost on top of the fairy-wrens yet there did not seem to be any competition. The finches stayed more in the reeds, whereas the fairy-wrens would go to the ground and other branches.
One of the Red-browed Finches looking for more food
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/1250 SEC])
There were a number of Water Striders that were congregating around the reeds in the small dam. They did not go far from the vegetation and did not appear to flee at my presence.
A Water Strider poised on the surface of the small dam
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0and 1/160 SEC])
This Meadow Argus (Junonia villida) flew onto a flower as I was starting to leave. It angled around to the sun and opened its wings. Even though I was very close it did not fly off, seeming to enjoy the rays of the suns.
A Meadow Argus out under the morning sun
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/9.0 and 1/800 SEC])