Scarlet Honeyeater

Myzomela sanguinolenta.

Cedar Creek, Qld.

This photograph is not cropped, he really was that close to me (about 2.8m according to the distance scale on the lens). I'd been squatting under this tree for some time, as various birds flittered by until this little fellow came along. I had only three attempts to shoot him, the first, the focus limiter on the lens prevented focus (quickly flicked that off), the second, the camera would not focus on him and the third is this one, shot less than a second before he flew away. The aperture was too open for this close range so his beak and tail are slightly out of focus but there was no time to adjust it.

View all photos taken: Tuesday, 26th August 2008, This photo: 1:00pm

Previous Photo: Couple

Comments

  • suburbanvoodoo said:
    You're going to grow feathers soon David :-)
    Very pretty birdie :-)
  • David de Groot said:
    No no no... I was crouched UNDER the tree ;-)
  • Pink Thistle said:
    Well done to get him, even though the tail & beak are o.o.f. Patience paid off!
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :) I wish they'd stay still a little bit longer, as I'd have had a chance to adjust my aperture, but still a fairly reasonable shot anyway.
  • borealnz said:
    Very beautiful David!!!
  • -Gadabout- said:
    wowee, a new bird every day :D This is another great capture :D
  • [ Kane ] said:
    Nice Dave, when is the book coming out?
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Jill, they're special little birds and a lot louder than their diminutive size would suggest.
    I saw soooo many birds today in just a half hour period.
    I'll see if I can remember them all:
    Lewin's Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Superb Fairy-wren (male and several females), some Rainbow Lorikeets, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos, a thornbill of some sort and a flock of Red-browed finches.
  • David de Groot said:
    Ah no-one would buy it I'm sure... :P
  • [ Kane ] said:
    I might ;)
  • HPVD Photos said:
    Very nice capture of that one.
  • -Gadabout- said:
    Me too :)
    You really do live in an aviary :P What a treat to see so many different birds in such a short space of time :D
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :)
    Spring is definitely in the air :)
  • teejaybee said:
    Beautiful bird :) First time i've seen one
  • David de Groot said:
    They're about the size of a wren and usually hang about in the tops of trees. Undoubtedly you've heard their loud shrill call, but they're not easy to spot even if they are bright red.
  • Yorri¢k said:
    your commentary takes me out into the field, to the pace of things, well done both pic and description
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Richard, it's definitely a case of long waits punctuated by flurried action.
  • Andou Ryuu said:
    Great bird photos David. Hear you on the flurried action :-)
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks Andrew, they can definitely be incredibly quick.