Thursday, September 30, 2010

Cockies, and Parrots and Lories Galore.

Now I promised absolutely ages ago that I would post my Cocky piccies (I told you Aussies like to finish every second word with a “ie” or “y” didn’t I?).

Well first I had the great internet rationing debacle. Then I had a couple of late meetings at work. Then when I got home last night my computer just wouldn’t boot up properly.
Four hours later I got it working but by then it was my bed time so no post.

So I am very sorry but the cockies went on the back burner (poor things, it must have been uncomfortably hot).
Now finally I will post as I promised except I have just one more thing to say.

Several bloggers have passed awards to me in recent weeks. I have to hang my head in shame and say I just haven’t had time to pass them on, but will try to do the right thing in the next couple of weeks.

Now for the birds.

On that lovely day when we visited the Maroondah Reservoir I caught some birds with my camera.

I’ll just slip this Kookaburra in. No he/she is not a parrot (Kookaburras are kingfishers) and I have promised parrots. But what the heck?The kookaburra looks a bit shorter than in real life but I was standing almost directly below a high lamp post to get this shot, but his shot gives a reasonable idea of their look.

Now finally we come to the parrots.

There were a flock of gloriously sweet sulphur crested cockatoos picking up seeds from the grass.These guys are a popular pet/cage bird right around the world but they are native to Oz.

In the Maroondah Reservoir park they are very used to people so I was able to get close enough to get some lovely shots.

This cocky sat and watched me for a bit before having a casual scratch.These two were very snugglish, I guess they may be a mated pair.As a by the way I should say that a “Cocky” is not only a bird it is also an Aussie slang term for a farmer. So a “cow cocky” here is pretty much the same thing as a “rancher” in the USA.

This fellow fluffed up his feathers which gave me a fantastic opportunity to catch some wonderful definition of his feathers.The cockies’ amazingly powerful beaks can tear chunks out of dry timber boards.Yet with their beak and thumb-like tongue they can delicately pick up or manipulate small objects such as seeds.Hanging back from the cockies was this king parrotI love the contrast between the glossy green and scarlet on these guys.

Also in the background of the king parrot shot, and unusually shy, were some rainbow lorikeets.

I’ve included this shot to remind people of just why they are called “rainbow” lorikeets.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Despite being one of the 'raging water' voters I am succumbing to the lure of feathers.

I love the king parrots in their green and scarlet.

Old Kitty said...

Oh wow. Oh wow wow wow wow wow! Wow!!! They are the prettiest birds!! So much better seeing them wild and in flocks and enjoying their freedom - they are stunning!!! They are just so lovely. I'm thoroughly mesmerised by the sulphur crested cockatoos and the adorable king parrot!!

The kookaburra is so cute and what can I say about the rainbow lorikeets?!!?!? STUNNING!!

What lovely pics - thank you so much for sharing!!! You take really gorgeous pics!!!

I wish you all the very best with your computer! :-)

Take care
x

Anne Gallagher said...

Beautiful, simply beautiful...

We had kingfishers back home but they were a bit bigger than that.

Those lorikeets were amazing. Never seen such fantastic color before.

Fabulous pictures Al. Or should we call you Ally? Allie? just kidding.

Carolyn V. said...

I am amazed by the variety of beautiful birds you have there.

I don't think I've ever seen a kookaburra before. =)

Kyna said...

I must visit your blog more often, because I was wondering what a 'cocky' was O_O I was sort of afraid...


I love cockatoos. They've got crazy personalities. Just like me :D Great pics!

Theres just life said...

These pictures are great. I did vote for the raging water, but only because you promised the Cockys as well.

Myrna Foster said...

It was worth the wait. Thanks for sharing your birds with us. The kiddos loved them as much as I did, especially the rainbow lorikeets.

Heidenkind said...

I had no idea what kookaburras looked like until now!

Marguerite said...

Wow, what great shots and beautiful birds! My faves are the Cockatoos and the King Parrot! Love learning about these native Aussie birds!

LORI said...

Visiting your blog for the first time - sent by Pamelo Jo at Theres Just Life. I have been in Oz for nearly 24 years and never knew (til now) that a cocky is a term for rancher! Wow. Thanks, mate! Love the photos - even after all these years seeing flocks of cockatoos still amaze me. They have been congregating on the median strips along the roads for the past few weeks - heaps of them. Thankfully, we are not in their morning flight path this year so are able to sleep in a bit. I am very partial to your photo of the Lorikeets, too. Lovely.

Laura Eno said...

Beautiful photos! I came over here from Pamela Jo's site, There's Just Life.

Chris & Stephanie said...

Hi there! I'm new here having come over from Pamela Jo's site. Great birds - LOVE the rainbow lorikeets!

Al said...

Hi Christine,
I guess that makes you a swinging voter?
I have always had a soft spot for king parrots, they are gorgeous and they were very common where I lived as a young ‘un.

Hi Jennifer,
I guess that means you like them huh? :-)
I agree wild birds are simply inspiring.
You are most welcome, I love sharing.

Hi Anne,
They are lovely aren’t they?
The kookaburras are quite large, about the size of a large crow.
Thank you I like taking them so it is nice they work.
Hmm Allie? Actually Deb some times calls me Allie when she is feeling affectionate

Hi Carolyn,
We are very spoiled to have as many as we do. We’re very lucky.

Hi Kyna,
I agree you should come to my blog more often ;-)
Cockatoos are gorgeous, creatures and they have great personalities
Hi Pamela Jo,
Another swinging voter!
Ah well you couldn’t loose then.

Hi Myrna,
Sorry the wait was so long.
I am happy your kids loved my birds too!

Hi Tasha,
We live and learn! I guess there aren’t many kookaburras around your neighbourhood.

Hi Marguerite,
I am pleased you like our local little Aussies!

Hi Lori,
Welcome to the blog. I am surprised you haven’t heard ‘cocky’ for farmer/grazier before. It’s very common in rural/regional Oz, and I’ve certainly heard it in the cities too.
I am only to happy to share and I am pleased you aren’t being woken by the noisy beggars at the moment.

Hi Laura,
Welcome to the blog. Pamela Jo’s is certainly worth a look too.

Hi Stephanie,
Welcome. Aren’t those rainbow lorikeets fabulous?