Mark's Tasmanian Bush Blog

Tuesday, 26 December 2017

Silvereye

Silvereye Zosterops lateralis

I was walking on the Pinnacle Track on Mount Wellington, looking out for birds. There were a few, a Flame Robin, a Currawong (of course) and a Yellow-throated Honeyeater, but none of them were very keen to sit and be photographed. I finished up and returned to The Springs, and found this lively little fellow happily prancing around just at the top of the steps. He seemed to be looking for food along the branches, and didn’t fuss too much about being watched.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@480mm.
1/800s, f5.6, ISO 2500.

Noisy Miner

Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala

This honeyeater is found across the eastern and south-eastern mainland, as well as the eastern half of Tasmania. I was trying to photograph rosellas on the Domain, but the best shot of the day was this Miner – possibly because he reliably sat still and above ground level. They really are noisy. Just the other day I had to slow the car and steer around two having a mid-air tiff as I drove up the Domain road, but later having found several in a tree they eluded me vigorously once I was on foot.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm@300mm.
1/1250s, f8, ISO 1250.

Yellow Wattlebird

Yellow Wattlebird Anthochaera paradoxa

I found a few of these birds at the northern end of the Botanical Gardens in Hobart, where they swoop gracefully between trees, and were actually quite easy to photograph. This is Australia’s largest honeyeater, and is endemic to Tasmania. I think the yellow wattles make them look rather religious, or at least self-important.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm.
1/1250s, f5.6, ISO 1250.

New Holland Honeyeater

New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

These birds are common across Tasmania, with bold black, white and yellow plumage. They often seem somewhat unkempt, with feathers fluffed askew. This fellow was at Franklin, where there are a number who congregate around the riverside boardwalk just north of Frank’s Cider. They are wary of people, and will move rapidly when disturbed, so you have to be patient, slow and quiet. Being small, a decent photo requires getting fairly close. It took a while. He looks a little grumpy, “Go away and STOP bothering me”.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@500mm.
1/1000s, f5.6, ISO 1100.

Monday, 25 December 2017

Tasmanian Birds Calendar 2018

My calendar for 2018 is out, as Christmas gifts. For the first time I thought it was important to say a little more about the subjects. Click through below to see the birds and a bit more info about them.

I hope you enjoy the calendar through the year, as much as I enjoyed getting the photos and assembling it.

And of course additional copies at an extravagant price can be purchased here. Sorry they're expensive, they only print them as ordered. They are very well printed on good quality materials though.