red wattlebird

Red Wattlebird

Still having our lunch on the verandah was more entertainment when a Red Wattlebird landed on the gutter of the annexe. He actually had the cheek to look down on us at one point seemingly to check what we were eating LOL.

... don't think he'll find much in the grass do you? I think this was the only time I saw a Red Wattlebird on the ground. They're one of the many, many honeyeaters in Australia, in case you're wondering about the title.

... or is it Prancer? ... and not a red nose in sight, just a red wattle! Oh sorry about that... don't know what I'm thinking.;) Just after looking at the Rosella, my attention was drawn to movement above my head and I saw a Red Wattlebird sitting there. The first one I'd seen on this leg of...

I struggled to identify this one at first, but Peter kindly came to my rescue, when it became obvious. It's a juvenile Red Wattlebird. If you get your magnifying glass out you can just see the tiny buds of the wattles appearing.

Depending on the angle, I've sometimes found it difficult to see the wattles, but they do show clearly here I think. We'd barely been here an hour and already I'd seen a lot of different species, some of which I hadn't yet managed to get a picture of the action was so fast.

A pretty early start the next day as we were travelling I don't know how many miles westwards along the coast. Well about 310 km to our first stop at Port Augusta. And what a great stop this proved to be, for we went and had lunch at the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens. Walking from the car park...

I saw my first Red Wattlebird (another type of honeyeater!) shortly after arriving in Adelaide, but didn't get a picture that time. Here's a youngster, with very tiny wattles who came down for a drink in the early morning light. This, too, was taken through the window or... TTTW

A very wet red wattlebird

These birds are quite deceptive - plain brown from a distance but quite stunning close to.

More photos and stories on my blog; http://bradsburras.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-dichotomy-of-tapas-bar.html

Taken by my friend John, with my gear.