I finally succeeded in photographing at least one of the Southern Emu-wrens that can be found at Emu Green Reserve at Emu Plains. I have seen Emu-wrens before, at various places, but had not been able to get good photographs of them. This time, at Emu Green had had better luck. This was after several trips that I had made recently to Emu Green where spotting them had been a principal aim.
The photos I took of the Emu-wrens were not great, but significantly better than any of my previous photos. And I also had some good observing time which should help in the future.
My first few photos were taken around 11:30 am.
Then, after lunch, around 12:40, I spotted either the same bird or another in the same location. It was rapidly flying around, calling, and then moving to another location.
It was often behind vegetation, and when it did come out, it was so fast that I could not get the camera to it in time before it moved. It was also moving about a lot when perched – rocking around, due to the grass it was clinging to. If I see these birds again, my aim will be to get shots of them flying.
I also saw a number of other nice birds. One previous target species at Emu Green had been the Rainbow Bee-eaters. I was fortunate to spot them again.
This one has a bee –
Here is a pair. One flies off and returns with a bee.
Before it eats the bee, it wacks it on he branch a few times to ensure the bee is dead.
Later in the day, I get to photograph this one taking off.
More birds –
Superb Fairy-wrens
Satin Bowerbirds
Rufous Fantail
Golden Whistler
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Zebra Finches
Double-barred Finches
Sacred Kingfisher
Yellow Thornbills
And some of the honeyeaters –
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Lewin’s Honeyeater
in the photo above there is also a New Holland Honeyeater.
Scarlet Honeyeater
And just after I had finished my lunch, I spotted this nice Red-bellied Black Snake.
Another good visit to this area. I only spotted one raptor – a Whistling Kite sitting on its nest. The same one I had seen before.