Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Photo by Andrew Bryden

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

black wings beating in the heat
flourish of red tail
dancing the flamenco
~
flashes of hot red fervour
sweeping the heavens
Spanish dancer on fire
~
tempo building with the heat
faster and louder
flamboyant scarlet finale

 

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We have been fortunate to have a flock of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos hanging around in front of our house, the last week or so. They come in the morning to eat the seeds/nuts (or are they fruits) from the casuarina trees along the beach. They are very smart so getting a good photo is a bit difficult, as they see you coming and take flight. Again Andrew has taken a great photo – he was scouting about with Michael and they both got fine shots.

Tawny Frogmouth

It was a full moon two nights ago (huge tide and more beach erosion!) and I heard a noise on the balcony. When I went to have a look I saw we had some nocturnal visitors – a family of Tawny Frogmouths. They aren’t owls (they are related) but sure look a lot like them.

Tawny Frogmouth family

The one on the far right is the baby. His or her feathers looked so soft and new.

I wish that woman with the camera would ping off!

They do this swaying thing with their head and body (bit like a snake) when they are agitated.

The baby of the family

The parents

Then after about 10 minutes they turned their backs on me and flew off.

I thought they might be messengers but the phone hasn’t rung yet!