"Peregrine" and "Pardalote"- two gorgeous sounding words that also just happen to be associated with the most wonderful of creatures!
Falco peregrinus arises from the Latin per and agri - literally "from abroad" or subsequently "wandering". I gather the northern hemisphere peregrines are inclined to migrate. I had jumped out of the car recently at Oswin Roberts Sanctuary (Phillip Island) and had one of those great car park moments when you know the birds are "on"! Looking up I saw the silhouette of a falcon purposefully gliding across the small arc of sky I had vision of. 'Grabbed the camera and managed one shot:
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Peregrine falcon flying over Oswin Roberts Sanctuary |
My impression is that the name "Pardalote" is a name known only to birders or those that have had a close experience with these beautifully marked birds. I gather that
Pardalotus refers to being "spotted" and arises from Greek origins. Although I could hear many Spotted pardalote on this day at Oswin Roberts (I am inclined to think of it as
Ozzie Bob's) it was the Striated pardalote that was providing most photo opportunities:
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Striated pardalote checking out tree-hollow nesting options, September 2013 |
The next three photos were taken within a minute or two of each other when passing through a small-bird hot spot!
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Brown thornbill, Oswin Roberts Sanctuary |
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White-browed scrub wren, Oswin Roberts Sanctuary |
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Superb fairy-wren, Oswin Roberts Sanctuary |
Oswin Roberts Sanctuary is also good for honeyeaters (in addition to those shown Wattlebirds, White-eared honeyeaters are also common) ...
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Still struggling for a decent photo of White-naped honeyeater I'm afraid |
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New Holland honeyeater |
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Yellow-faced honeyeater |
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I generally don't leave Ozzie Bobs without seeing an Eastern Yellow Robin at some stage |
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Dusky woodswallow numbers are seasonal - they are starting to increase again now that Spring is here |
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Fan-tailed cuckoo |
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Grey currawong |
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iPhone shot of the park's eastern boundary and adjacent farmland where Swamp harriers and Whistling kite are often seen. |
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Whistling kite |
Even by Ozzie Bob standards this was a pretty productive morning!
Bird on!
A great series of birds and photos - the Pardalotes are definitely my favorites.
ReplyDeleteYou have some wonderful wildlife... and beautiful countryside.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection, impressed that you could get those pics of the little flitty birds like the thornbill!
ReplyDeleteHI Pete That was a great post with lots of wonderful birds seen and photographed.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great variety! I just love the fairy wren
ReplyDeleteWow, great variety. The Striated Pardalote and Eastern Yellow Robin certainly took my eye, but the post shows of the other species very well also
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Dave
Lovely birds! The fairy wren is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBings back great memories of my visit to Australia.
ReplyDelete