Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 2 June 2013

Sunday Selections 123

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.

Like River I generally run with a theme.  This week I am trawling through my archives.  I have damaged a shoulder (too much in the garden I think) and cannot take any new photos.

The first bird is a baby galah.  Their voice is typical of many Australian birds in that they are not at all musical.  Just the same, I think they have a lot of charm.












The second bird of the week is a Common Bronze Wing Pigeon.  Not common enough.  We don't often see them, and greet them with cries of delight when they appear.  Thank you to Arija for reminding me about these gorgeous birds.






92 comments:

  1. I remember flocks and flocks of pigeons in the cities when I was small, and the iridescence of their wings. But they are all driven away by the peregrine falcons imported to do just that. I haven't seen a pigeon in years. Beautiful birds, both of them.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: The iridescence is very special isn't it? We get crested wood pigeons, and normal pigeons much more often than we get these badly named 'common' bronze wings.

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  2. I love the baby...so cute.

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    1. mybabyjohn/Delores: They are - very, very cute. With a truly awful voice. We once saw an adult rap a particularly insistent baby on the head to shut it up - and applauded.

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  3. Ahhh...the beautiful bronze-wing pigeon...now that you mention it, EC...I've not seen any around for ages and ages. And when I was living on Hinchinbrook Island we used to have the Torres Strait Pigeons aka Nutmeg pigeons there. They are a large pigeon and so beautiful. E.J. Banfield, writer along with his wife were the first white settlers on Dunk Island, an island a little north of Hinchinbrook Island. The Banfields moved to the island in 1897 in search of a more peaceful, harmonious existence after having been given only six months to live by his doctor. Banfield died in 1923, having lived on the island for 26 years.

    Have a look about for "Confessions of a Beachcomber" written by Banfield about his life on Dunk Island - it's a great story. Banfield saved the population of the Torres Strait Pigeons as they were close to extinction in the early 1900s; and it was through his dedication and persistance they are still around today.

    Have a lovely weekend. I hope your shoulder is on the mend. :)

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    1. Lee: I will have to look up the Torres Strait Pigeons - they are not ones we will ever see around here. I will also track down Confessions of a Beachcomber. Thank you for both tips.

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    2. Yes, the Torres Strait pigeons is fairly large pigeon, and it's found in the northern areas of Australia (and the Torres Strait Islands and PNG). they migrate to New Guinea between February and April. We used to see them, every afternoon, without fail heading home to roost for the night on the Brook Islands; a group of island about 8kms from Cape Richards...where the resort is on Hinchinbrook Island...on the far north-eastern tip of the large island. They are a magnificent bird.

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    3. Lee: I've looked them up, and they are. Thank you for the introduction.

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  4. The bronze-wing pigeon is beautiful - as is the baby galah. Wish we had them in NZ.

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    1. Wendy aka Quillfeather: Thank you. You have birds I would love to see too.

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  5. More beautiful birds! I love looking at them. Thanks so much for sharing each week with us. It means a lot to me and I'm sure it does for many others as well. Sometimes, I forget what birds look like. Built up cities aren't very friendly to them.

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    1. Laura Eno: I am glad that this one of my obsessions is something you enjoy. While we are in a city - it isn't a very built up one. Thankfully.

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  6. That baby is so sweet! Were you able to get as close as it seems in the picture or just have a wonderful telephoto lens? I love that pigeon! It looks as if a pigeon and hummingbird crossed!

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    1. Cindi Summerlin: No telephoto - it allowed us to get very close. I think it was as interested in us as we were in it.

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  7. What beautiful birds! That soft pink color, and then the beautiful pigeon. I'm sorry to hear you have overdone it. I do that myself sometimes, but usually I am able to ignore the twinges. Once in awhile I am laid up, though, mostly from my own exuberance. Sending you lots of healing thoughts, plus I got a bird treat! :-)

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    1. DJan: We are so lucky with the birds who come to visit us. I love them all. And any pain is self induced and deserves no sympathy.

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  8. Neat birds! Such colours and the baby galah's front has given me this incredible urge for some candy floss, or cotton candy, or whatever you call it :)

    Enjoy your Sunday.

    Gary :)

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    1. klahanie: Fairy floss. And yes, the colours are right. A happy weekend to you too.

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  9. Awwwww, that baby galah is the cutest ever!!! Beautiful colours on the pigeon. Great shots EC!

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    1. Karen: Thank you. The colours on the pigeon blew me away.

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  10. I LOVE it when you post pics of the pink and greys - they are so sweet. And I miss not having them here. At least I can get my fill at your place :)
    Isn't the iridescence of the Bronzewing's stunning??
    Bird plumage is truly a marvel.

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    1. Vicki: We get lots of galahs here. Sometimes up to fifty or so at a time. Always welcome. And bird plumage is incredible. Even the 'plainest' of birds pays dividends when you take the time to look.

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  11. Galahs are pretty things and bounce along happily. I do love the colours and patterns on the bronzewings. Thanks :-)

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    1. Geoff: The bronzewings are special aren't they? Do you see them on your side of town?

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  12. Many thanks for the close-up of those beautiful colours on the pigeon's wing! I love the baby galah, too - very sweet.

    Hope the shoulder's mending well.

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    1. Alexia: The pigeon colours just blew me away when first I noticed them. And I also love the galah. The shoulder is getting there, just slower than I like.

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  13. I'd only heard of galah before! Is it true that some folk eat them but have to take forever in preparation?

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    1. John Wiswell: The urban myth about galah preparation says to boil them with a stone until the stone is soft and then to throw away the galah and eat the stone...
      I have no doubt that people have eaten them, but don't know of anyone who has, or admits to trying them.

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  14. You have the most colorful birds I have seen in your yard! So pretty! So many different colors on each bird! Ours look really plain compared to ours.

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    1. Teresa: Some of our birds ARE really spectacular. The galahs and the pigeons are more subdued - but I love them just the same. You also have some birds that fill me with awe. Your magpies are 'prettier' than ours, cardinals, hummingbirds to name just a few.

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  15. Ah what it is to have trained birds to a feeder. I always echood the idea as they do become reliant on the food we put out for them and who is going to do that when I kark it? I have succumbed though since I cant see them further away than my nose. I've put out half oranges and the honey-eaters have nibbled a little. There is precious little food for them elsewhere at the moment but no-one is, as yet, interested in the sunflower seeds.
    Your bronze wing captures are just great EC.
    So sorry about your shoulder, am I right about assuming it is your right one? Mail me a photo of your face, no matter how recent and I will send you some absent healing if you wish.

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    1. Arija: I feel/felt some guilt about feeding the birds as well. On bad days I am not mobile and they DO enrich my life so I succumbed. As well as the seed we put out apple (green) and a surprising number of them love it (currawongs, cockies, rosellas, king parrots...) It is indeed my right shoulder and I will send you an email tomorrow. Thank you.

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  16. Such lovely rainbow feathers on that pigeon. And those little galahs are so delightful!

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  17. The pigeon is lovely, the colour amazing, they may be common but I've never seen them and galahs are alway great fun but not at all musical.
    Merle........

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    1. Merlesworld: We scoffed when we discovered it was the Common Bronze Wing. Not common here. Welcome, and rare.

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  18. The baby galah took me right back to my childhood, when we raised one alongside a cat and dog. They used to all take naps in the garden together and drink from the same water bowl. I'd love to have one again, but this place is too small. I'll settle for a cat.
    The bronze wing pigeon is lovely, I've never seen one before.

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    1. River: I would love to see a galah sharing a water bowl with a cat and a dog. And the bronze wings are gorgeous aren't they?

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  19. Hadn't seen the bronze wing before - very pretty.

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  20. Wow, you get the most amazing bird photos, the bronze wing is lovely.

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    1. Linda Starr: Birds are one of my obsessions and I spend a LOT of time watching them.

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  21. The Galah is adorable EC and I do agree about their voice, it can be rather grating. Your Common Bronze Wing Pigeon is misnamed, it should be Majestic Bronze Wing Pigeon!

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    1. Mia McPherson: The ornithological naming conventions seem just plain silly some days. I agree, Majestic (or even Amazing) would suit the Bronze Wing much much better.

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  22. Wow what beautiful birds! I've haven't seen either of them before and you did well to get such good shots too.

    The meme is a good one, I may even join in next week. :)

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    1. LL Cool Joe: Welcome and thank you. River (and I) would love it if you join in next week. The more the merrier. Galahs are common here and we see lots of them. The 'Common Bronze Wing' is a much less frequent visitor. Both are welcome.

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  23. *squeals of delight* over the adorable baby galah! Who cares if s/he can't sing a single melodious note? :-)

    I've never heard of the Common Bronze Wing Pigeon before! What a beauty! Those iridescent feathers are downright resplendent. What a beautiful bird!

    I hope your shoulder feels better soon!

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    1. Laloofah: Aren't they enchanting birds? Though mind you, I find ALL birds a joy.

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  24. The galah is awesome! I'd love to see a pink bird here. Oops, well, I have. At the coast we have roseate spoonbills. And in Florida, flamingos.

    We have all kinds of pigeons, but I don't think we have bronzewings.

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    1. Carol Kilgore: The pink and grey of the galah are wonderful colours to see together. Lots of our dawns are galah coloured, which always makes me smile. And the Bronze Wings are very very special.

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  25. Your place is like a Birdie heaven :) It's amazing

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    1. Wildblack: The birds add a slice of heaven to my days. Each and every day.

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  26. ommMMGOSH,
    the pink cotton candy bird rocks my socks!
    --What is he?
    Sending you lots of pink from Minnesota, S. Xxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: He/she is a baby galah. I see them often, and love them. Hugs to you.

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  27. These have gotta be the cutest baby birds I've ever seen--the galah birds! My daughter and I are staring at them and oooooing at them!

    El

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    1. El Farris: They are super cute - until they open their beaks. And I love them, even with their beaks open. I am so glad that you and your daughter fell for them too.

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  28. Before following your blog I didn't know which hemisphere Wonderland was in. Beautiful!

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    1. Geo.: What a lovely thing to say. I believe Wonderland is every where though...

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  29. I marvel at the beautiful birds around you. Like they are painted with watercolors.

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. As you know I am obsessed with them. Our birds, your birds, all birds.

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  30. I am so sorry to hear about your shoulder EC and hope it will soon be well again. I loved the baby galah (you probably won't be surprised that I've chosen Galah for my G of birds even though I said I'd do a separate lots on parrots.
    I've not seen a bronze wing pigeon for years but I remember how beautiful they are. I have know men actually shoot them for sport and food which I find quite abhorrent. I often wonder if people like that see beauty in anything.

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    1. Mimsie: Galahs are enchanting little birds - and a worthy G. I didn't know that people shot Bronze Wings, but am not surprised. Disgusted, but not surprised. I cannot see 'fun' in shooting at any living thing.

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  31. OMGGG the baby galah is so pretty and frail and colorful...awwwwww I am in love

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    1. unikorna: So are we. They are very easy birds to love.

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  32. Hi EC, sorry your shoulder is being a pain- in the you know where~:) I hope it repairs quickly.

    I so enjoy seeing the beautiful birds from your world. They are so colorful and different from ours.

    be well, be happy- Hugs n smiles across the miles ~:)

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  33. Adorable cuteness and beautiful iridescence. Fantastic! Thanks for sharing them with us.

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    1. Paper Chipmunk: They brighten my world and lift my spirits. Always.

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  34. I love your galah! And the pigeon (bronze wing?) is lovely. If we can get close enough to a pigeon here, the iridescence is visible.

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    1. Susan Kane: Pigeons do seem to be quite 'plain' birds, but a closer look tells a very different story.

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  35. I don't usually care for birds, but the galah is adorable! I haven't even seen a picture of that species before. How do you get so close?

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    1. Riot Kitty: The birds here are used to us. Very used to us - which pays dividends.

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  36. amazingly beautiful....only genius could dream up a bird
    who looks to be made of cotton candy:)
    i love the variety you share;
    thanks for the sweetness,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: We call cotton candy fairy floss - and you and Gary are right, galahs do have those colours. Such a treat. (And better for our teeth too.)

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  37. Those are amazing birds of beautiful feathers. I agree the galah looks like a cotton candy, hahaha. Extraordinaire!

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    1. Al Diaz: Until bloggers put into my head I had not thought of how much galahs look like fairy floss. And now, I think I will always think of them that way...

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  38. Birds are just amazing, aren't they? Even pigeons, which seem to be reviled in many places, have a lovely coo and iridescence (but I've never seen one as pretty as in your pictures).

    Baby ANYTHING are adorable. Love that wee pink charmer!

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    1. Ms. CrankyPants: Baby almost anything. I still don't warm to snakes, and my partner would tell me that baby spiders just hide better...

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  39. Wow! What beautiful pictures!
    Thanks for visiting my blog. :)

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    1. Melissa: Welcome and thank you. And it was a pleasure to visit you (and Carol).

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  40. The little galah is so cute! All your birds seem so colourful compared to ours. Although I do remember one year when we had a bird feeder in the winter for our two small children's interest ... and I was surprised by the selection of birds that came ... normally we wouldn't see them. They only came in our yard because there was a food supply. And I guess that is what you are doing!

    I hope your shoulder will feel better very soon. Thanks for digging into your vault for these pictures :)

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    1. jenny_o: I know that we get more birds more regularly because we are feeding them, but we put the feeder up because there were so many birds. Chicken and egg questions. And they brighten my world.

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  41. Sorry to hear about your shoulder EC, annoying that it keeps you from the garden and camera. Baby Galah is, as everyone said, adorable. We rarely see them here though I think they are around. I'd love to see the Bronzewing - I like pigeons, even the common ones have lovely iridescence. Get well!

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    1. Carol: I am a fan of pigeons myself. We get the Crested Wood Pigeons, the Common Ones and occasionally the Bronzewings - and all of them are beautiful.

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  42. So lovely :)

    And I love the 'chaos of cats' on the right hand side - LOVE :)

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    1. wordsfallfrommyeyes: Thank you. I cannot think of a better collective noun for cats - and I love them too.

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  43. Stunning photos!! I've only seen adult galahs, and H never really was fond of them, however this one is CUTIE!!! Why oh why do I feel the need to want to keep all of these things in my house? i'm not allowed birds, probably a good thing??? cats would be interesting... And the second bird photographed is stunning! Keep up the fantastic work!!

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    1. Nicky HW: I do love all the birds that visit. I think galahs are underappreciated. They are cheeky chappies and have heaps of charm.

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  44. that baby galah is just superadorable! <3 all that pink fluff! and that they seem so friendly and easy to approach, what a treat.

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    1. Pia K: We feed the birds, so they are (relatively) friendly. They are still wild birds though - which is as it should be. Seeing them is a BIG treat though.

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