Not photography but thought this was a good place to post.

Had this group of magpies in the area since I moved in, never realised how interesting they were. They can be pretty entertaining at times.

Here's a couple videos

Magpies Playing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ1SJXiBHEY

Magpies Fighting - ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b69ic15rT4

Pretty vicious fight! Did some research, and apparently they stage mock fights to help them practice defending their territory. The bird that was attacked wasn't hurt badly and have seen it with the flock many times since, apparently getting along fine.

Magnificent photos guys love them all! Always had a soft spot for birds, gorgeous things they are.

Some shots of the most friendly Magpie I have ever discovered out at the beautiful Spring Gully in the Clare Valley. Obviously been fed by some visitors as he was rather staring at my food

These were taken with a 50mm, 85mm equiv as I was out doing portraits for a school photography project. They are quite cropped but thats the beauty of having an 18 MP sensor. It is a pity i didnt think about how harsh the background was this particular day

Our latest in need of assistance critter. We picked him up off the road last night. I believe he had a run in with a car. No broken bones, just concerned about brain injury.
.

Wow great shots guys!

Is that a barn owl bundy? Hope he recovered alright. Good on you for looking out for it!

Good to see someone else appreciates magpies Markus That's a really healthy looking female tibicen telonocua I think...(South Australian subspecies...lol yes I'm a magpie geek)

That magpie fight video I posted above...can't believe it but some guy noticed at 27 seconds in just before they all take off, you can see this little white object pop into the air, which the other magpies go after immediately, leaving the bird they're seemingly attacking alone - and going after the bird who has this object......looks like they were playing some kind of chasey instead of having a vicious brawl...

Some great photos here! Chris, I love magpies too, I think they're so interesting to watch and have the most beautiful song (apart from maybe the butcherbird!). I especially like watching the young ones learning how to be a magpie, something so cute about it. But so damn noisy!

Loved your vids, the first actually made me laugh out loud at the end. I've never seen or heard of them doing that before! Second one was a bit scary until I saw the white object they were chasing.

Yes, he was a barn owl. He stayed with us for a few days before heading off on his own again. Had a few nice feeds and a good rest.

He was lucky. I love birds of prey.

Here is the latest rescue. Brahminy Kite. Silly thing grabbed one of our lures. Just had to catch him then release him.

Bundybear, beautiful Kite! Smaller than I imagined they would be. That is an adult male? Well, if anyone tells you to "go fly a kite" at least you can say you have

Shooting fish in a barrel is exactly how I would describe my taking a camera into a bird sanctuary (Flying High Bird Sanctuary near Childers, Qld, to be exact!), but thought I would share anyway:


Male King Parrot by Amy-Leee, on Flickr

Curioser, I don't know if he was an adult or not. Poor little thing though was most confused by his dinner.

That is a lovely pic of a King Parrot. They come and feed at my place whenever I put a little feed out for them or when my plants are flowering.

We also have pale headed rosellas who love a bit of sunflower seed. Not the best pic though.



It isn't uncommon for me to be able to count a dozen different types of bird in the yard on any day. Just need a better camera.

Sunbird at 1/8000 sec

A golden one...

Black Swans

Showoff...

Curlews...at 400mm

Pied Oyster Catcher??

Where is my Cracker?? Close up on 20mm prime.

Some Photos of the Local Bird Life

Male King Parrot



Female King Parrot



Cheeky Cockatoos



Some Kind of Cormorant

Metallic Starling...check the red eyes

here are a couple of pics of the figbird chicks in the gumtree in my backyard...

They are gorgeous redwest!!!