Quink quink, kik kik

For over a week I stalked Western Rosellas. They could be seen from inside the house on the Guitenotia bush, feasting on the seed pods. The soft silky grey foliage was bejewelled by flashes of red, yellow, blue and green. As soon as I walked outside they would be off flying down the paddock, not returning till I had gone back inside. I could hear their high pitched 'quink quink ..quink quink' but not see them. Despite their bright colouring they are difficult to see if they want to stay hidden. Western Rosellas tend to feed quietly in pairs or small groups. Around here that is often on the ground in the pasture or in fruit trees if they are not netted.

In the end, when there were few seeds left on the bushes, I persevered. I stayed outside and stalked them. I'd see a bird, it would see me, then take off. This loop played out over and over. Finally the above bird returned and landed on some kangaroo paws. It looked at me - shocked - when it realised I was only metres away. Something changed and it lost its caution. The Rosella flew over to the Guitenotia and ate happily while it watched me as I photographed it.

In this last week the Sacred Kingfishers have returned for their summer breeding season. The pair here called to each other 'kik kik kik kik'; one near our house the other down by the creek. This fellow hunted for food, swooped down to the ground and back up to a high vantage point before it flew down the hill towards it's mate.

A feast of Skinks

The sacred kingfishers are still here and yesterday I found them feeding on garden skinks from the vantage  of posts in my vegetable garden. Here are some pictures.

Flying south for summer

I heard them before I saw them. But if you asked me now to describe their call I wouldn't be able to. It is just something I know without realising I know. Looking in my bird book, their early breeding season call is described as 'a loud, sharp, penetrating, far carrying kik-kik-kik-kik or occasionally kek-kek-kek-kek'. 

The sacred kingfishers have arrived, flying south for their summer breeding season. Around here they nest in tree hollows, up high, twenty five metres or so - and there are plenty of hollows in the bush next door.

They are very difficult to get up close enough for a good photo. You'll just have to imagine the rich greeny and blue green colouring on the head and wings. They really are beautiful. They sit on the fence posts then dive onto the ground after insects and small lizards - until you get too close and they are off, swooping down the paddock and up into the trees.