55. Firetails Against the Odds

This is a Firetail. My neighbour Neil calls them Diamond Sparrows. 

54. The Rainbow's Proposal

Looking out at sunset, the last rays of the day hit gold. The bird’s head was lit, shining like precious metal. This is the one I’d been watching and waiting for. My favourite bird-the Rainbow Bee-eater.

Two years ago, when I was flirting with bird-watching, there was a wow moment. Watering pot plants I looked up to see a bright coloured bird swoop through the air snatching a bee on the wing.

53. A Musky Green Leek

I needed to buy milk and bread on my way home from work. Because of scorching weather, I parked under a Silky Oak opposite the supermarket. As I stepped out of the car, pieces of orange toothbrush flowers fell in my hair. Something was up.

52. One in a Million Chillawong

There are a million Pied Currawongs in the forests of south-eastern Australia. I’ve just seen a baby one in a million bird.

51. No Tranquility

A small Peaceful Dove flies by. Its neck is striped like a zebra; its belly creamy white, breast slightly pink. Wings are scalloped with black edges as delicate as wedding cake decorations. 

50. C'mon Rosie

I thought there was something wrong with the bird. With its eyes closed and tail bent underneath it could have been sick.  Parrot tails always extend straight out in line with the body; this one was different. 

49. Peacock Blues: Part 1

Poppy is a peahen that flew in one winter morning and decided to stay. The old girl follows me around the yard every day. She believes I produce food at will; I believe she’s lonely.

48. The Wagtail and the Wallaby

Willie Wagtails are aggressive when breeding. The Willie that’s lived in our front yard for 3 years is nesting now. She wanted a drink and harassed a wallaby to get one.

47. A Goanna and the Double-barred Flock

Bird watching this week, I was getting too hot outside. Dead grass crackled behind me. I turned to see a monster. Its tongue flickered. It froze, glared and considered what to do. 

46. The Rose Hillers

Nearly 200 years ago, an early English settler saw colourful birds near Sydney in a little place called Rose Hill. He called the birds with black, white, navy, green, yellow, red and royal blue feathers a ‘Rose Hiller’, and it stuck. Aussies love dropping the H and shortening names; after a bit the bird became the Rosella.

45. Spring

From September to the end of November is the Australian spring.

44. UNDER A RED ROSE

I had a new job as a commercial radio announcer in north Queensland. Bernie, my pet Budgerigar, was beside me as I drove to the tropics.