Other honeyeaters
I have posted recently about the Noisy Friarbirds (Philemon corniculatus) dining in our Callistemons. The main purpose of this post is to cover a couple of other species of Honeyeaters that share these bushes. However, on the grounds that too many Friarbirds are never enough here is another image, this time with a face free of pollen and thus showing the bare skin which earned them the vernacular name of Leatherhead.
The first 'other species' to be covered is the Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops). In the urban part of the ACT these birds pass through on passage in Spring and Autumn, but as our place is about 200m higher they spend the Summer here and have bred on a friends place. These images clearly show the yellow line on the face.
The first image also gives an idea of the acrobatic poses the birds adopt when feeding. As well as dining in Callistemons they also frequent Aphid Central: a honeysuckle bush which is very popular with the local aphid community, despite frequent use of Pyrethrum to dissuade them. I have not so far been able to get an image of them in that habtat.
On th subject of not being able to get an image, we move on to Australia's answer to Hummingbirds: the Eastern Spinebill.(Acanthorhyncus tenuirostris). These little beasts are constantly on the move and trying to get an image with a camera on a tripod is almost impossible. Here are my efforts to date, which hopefully give an impression of the birds (possibly in a rather cubist way, to really muddle art movements).
On th subject of not being able to get an image, we move on to Australia's answer to Hummingbirds: the Eastern Spinebill.(Acanthorhyncus tenuirostris). These little beasts are constantly on the move and trying to get an image with a camera on a tripod is almost impossible. Here are my efforts to date, which hopefully give an impression of the birds (possibly in a rather cubist way, to really muddle art movements).
Comments
Almost certainly go out without your camera (visible) then when the bird is fooled, reach for the camera, and shoot.
Failing that, try 30 shots. One might be OK.
You obviously have good food plants for the Honeyeaters.
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I grow one plant - the South African Honeyplant - Melianthus major - just for Honeyeaters. But it is so huge now, the Bowerbirds love to hide in it, the Rosellas chew the flowers (to get the Honey, and Wattlebirds, Reds and Littles, and Lewin HEs all take turns in the huge bush.
Cheers
Denis
PS - still raining here, though showing signs of easing off now. Forecast says rain/rain/rain/showers, etc.
Denis
It is in the US Dept. of Agriculture Invasive Plant Atlas. See http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=18422
It is so beautiful. I am glad that it has such a happy home in Eastern Australia.