Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 22 April 2018

Sunday Selections #376.

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.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 

 
Like River I usually run with a theme. This week I am again focusing on flying visitors.


Starting off with a delightful butterfly.  We had a small flock of them flitting around the garden.  I 'think' this charmer is a Common Brown Butterfly Heteronympha merope, - but am happy to be educated.  And I think it deserves a nicer name. 







And from the side - where it looks quite different.

Then to the feathered flyers.  In addition to the usual suspects, this week we started getting visits from a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets.   They are not usually seen in my city, but stand out when they visit.








Not only did they not read the book about where they live they also refused to restrict what they ate.  Apparently their usual diet is pollen and nectar with a 'little' fruit.  No-one told this pair that.  They have been hogging the apple and are remarkably bolshy about it - challenging and seeing off cockatoos and corellas both of whom are much bigger than they are.  If they arrive when there is no apple they let us know about it too.   

I will finish this week with a very brief video (15 seconds) showing you just how unmusical the young corella is.



I did smile at its shock at the end when a bigger bird gave its own cry.  For anyone who can't see this video here is a link to it on Youtube

138 comments:

  1. So beautiful EC, I love the butterflies and all the others, in fact, I love the video, fabulous.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you. We do love our visitors.

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  2. Right now 6am, the sounds outside my window are....rain, Spangled Drongo, Mudlark, crow, Fig Bird, Blue-faced Honeyeater.

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    1. dinahmow: As I type my response it is a little after seven. There are quarrels going on. Mostly correllas but the lorikeets are having a say too. And Jazz and the smaller portion are snoring.

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  3. The lorikeets are very colorful. I don't think I've ever seen one of those. And the butterflies are very pretty, too.

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    1. Jamie Ghione: They are incredibly bright aren't they? A vivid splash.

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  4. Yes, you're right: hardly any sound from the corella. Those lorikeets are so pretty! I love the closeup. You did good this week, EC. Thanks for all the smiles. :-)

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  5. Haha, little birdie. Those lorikeets look as if they need more than nectar and pollen to maintain.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: They aren't a big bird, but this pair obviously NEED apple. And a bit of seed.

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  6. Beautiful butterflies. I rarely see them here in the city. They are even pretty rare in the parks. Sad.

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    1. mxtodis123: I am glad to see the butterflies. And the bees. And the birds.

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  7. This post and those beautiful creatures made me smile...it is such a maddening shame that the science deniers among us all now are endangering them.

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    1. e: Sadly we have home-grown science deniers. Who scare me. And I marvel at the creatures I can see so close to home.

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  8. Hi EC - beautiful butterflies ... I've got to identify one here ... I'll try and get my head round the wildlife - hummingbirds are around. Though I'd be shocked if on of your lorikeets turned up - they are extraordinary in their colours aren't they ... thanks for bringing some added colour into what is now a grey day - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: It is a grey morning here too. A wasted grey morning since no rain is forecast. The birds are out in force though - including the Rainbow Lorikeets - who are accurately named.

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  9. At first I read it that you would show how musical the baby is, and I watched the video and thought, you must be joking. Then I saw you said unmusical. Sounds like a hissing witch or something. My gawd. The horror!~

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    1. Strayer: Some times that noise goes on and on and on. And on. And yes it is awful. We once watched an adult rap a whinging baby firmly on the head. It shut up - and inside we cheered.

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  10. The lorikeets certainly do make their presence known. They want everyone to notice them. The white cockatoos have been noisy around this way this past week for whatever reason.

    Love the butterflies, too.

    I hope you have a wonderful week, EC...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: I am amazed at how aggressive and demanding the lorikeets are. They are out of home territory, smaller than most of our other visitors and refuse to take a back seat.
      I hope you and your furry overlords have a great week.

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  11. It's looking right at me!!!

    :-D

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  12. I guess when you are as lovely as the Rainbow Lorikeet, you are a natural diva. Great pictures, the butterfly looks similar to one here in Georgia. It is quite lovely. Take care. Ann

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    1. Ann Bennett: They are divas. Interestingly some of our other very pretty birds aren't. Pecking order is something I find fascinating.

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  13. No need to play that video we had masses of those birds living in a tall tree two houses up and we hear them all the time what a noise they make.
    Rainbow lorikeets are such pretty birds but they can be very noisy too.
    Merle............

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    1. Merlesworld: All corellas can be noisy but the young ones have a sound all of their own don't they? With only two rainbow lorikeets visiting their sound gets dwarfed. Not the aggression though.

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  14. We have some of those butterflies...but sadly not any of the rainbow lorikeets.

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    1. CountryMum: We very rarely get the lorikeets, and if the bird books are to be believed shouldn't get them. This pair is very happy here at the moment though, visiting a couple of times each day.

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  15. Those rainbow birds...incredible. The video is priceless. In a bird chorus, that bird would be told to just move its mouth. It really can’t sing, poor thing. It “sings” just the same. Good for him.

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    1. Marie Smith: That 'song' is a demand for attention. Preferably food. And it can grate. On us, and on other birds. Just the same, it is a privilege that the adults bring the young ones to visit.

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  16. I love the butterflies, very rarely see even one around here. Now I know where our rainbow lorikeets have gone to. Lucky you. All those apples each year though, that's a lot of dollars.

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    1. River: Green apples are a staple on our shopping list, but we do often buy the wonky shaped ones because they are cheaper. And the birds, quite a lot of birds, love them.

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  17. You have very pretty flying visitors, even if some are not so well behaved. They have not learned that beauty should be more than skin deep, have they?

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    1. messymimi: They certainly haven't learnt that. Like some people.

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  18. lol I agree the bird is pretty but not a song bird. Once again I am amazed at what pretty birds yall have...and now the butterflies also!!!

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    1. Kim Standard: Lots of our birds are pretty. The song birds are much rarer.

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  19. The Common Brown reminds me of our Common Buckeye replete with the faux-eye to ward off potential predators!

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    1. Bea: A technique which works is sure to be replicated.

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  20. The butterflies are beautiful, the parrots are gorgeous and always lovely to see.
    The video - do you think the mother is telling the little one to 'be quiet'!

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: The long suffering mother fed that one and another one shortly after I took the video. I am sure she would like them to 'be quiet'.

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  21. "Common" things are often the most beautiful! Love the video.

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    1. Karen: I agree, but the name is so dismissive.

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  22. Those Lorikeets certainly didn't get the memo! ;) They certainly can be independent thinkers, though. Thank you for sharing your lovely flying visitors!
    -Marty K

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    1. Marty K: They have been regular visitors for nearly a week now and are ruling the roost. Beautiful birds, but they don't play nicely with others.

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  23. I love your nature is amazing.

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  24. Dear EC
    Beautiful photos of your garden visitors. The plumage on the lorikeets is amazing!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: They are incredibly bright aren't they?

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  25. You've done a fabulous job with your photography! The number of times I have tried to photograph a lorikeet and ended up with a wing tip or a blur or a leaf!
    The butterfly does deserve a better name, common is a bit insulting

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    1. kylie: They do move quickly don't they? Greed kept them still long enough to snap off some photos.

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  26. As a child I was very much afraid of butterflies, but once I got older, I rejoiced in their colorful beauty. The best experience of all was when a brightly colored yellow landed on my finger about 3 years ago. Even today, I'm still in awe. Thanks for sharing the beauty of nature and Huge Hugs...RO

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    1. RO: I am glad you could get over your fear of butterflies. Butterflies and moths are often incredibly beautiful.

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  27. I have never seen a butterfly that color. It is lovely.

    Those parrots are magnificent! How friendly are these birds and can they be trained.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: The butterfly is a charmer isn't it?
      I believe that lorikeets can be tamed/trained. This pair are wary of us, but don't fly far. And return quickly for more apple.

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  28. I’ve never seen a butterfly like that one...and those birds are remarkable.

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    1. Rick Watson: The natural world is full of wonders isn't it?

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  29. The butterfly and the birds are gorgeous. There is a butterfly garden in the next county down that we go and visit sometimes. :)

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    1. mail4rosey: I have often wanted to visit a butterfly garden. Some day...

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  30. Now we know where River of Drifting through life, got the colors for her room. She must have seen some Rainbow Lorikeets.

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    1. Granny Annie: Rainbow Lorikeets are much more likely to be seen in River's city than my own. Perhaps you are right.

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  31. The first butterfly has spots on its wings which look like eyes to ward off predators. Lovely photos as always

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    1. Linda Starr: Bea picked up on that too. I am ashamed to say that I missed it.

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  32. Well, I do love flutterbys. Well anything that flies, except mosquitos. They're jerks.

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: Do I detect that mozzies find you tasty? They do me. Himself uses me as an alternative insect repellent. If I go outside with him I get bitten and he doesn't.

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  33. I agree, the butterfly deserves a better name. Poor little guy.

    Those birds! Oh my gosh. Stunning! And yeah, they seem to love that fruit. Then again, I would too. :) Wonderful pictures. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

    Elsie

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    1. Elsie Amata: They really, really like the apple. Shortly I am going to have to put out more. For them, and for the other birds (if the lorikeets allow them a look-in).

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  34. Your birds and butterflies do my heart good.
    Thank you.

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  35. Loved the clip - there's a saying in my language - can't have the whole world and the sky :) beautiful birdie but w/o a beautiful voice to match.

    Fantabulous photos as usual! rainbow is just the right name, though the butterfly does deserve a nicer one. Quite an imposing wing get up!

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Lots of our native birds are very beautiful. Few of them have pretty voices, so your saying is spot on.

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  36. If Bob Bushell says they good they must be good. He’s an expert photographer and I bow to his knowledge. Brilliantly taken photos. from an admirer.

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  37. I love your Sunday posts. I come for the eye candy. I have yet to be disappointed.!
    You get lorikeets too? Your birds are just too cool. I walked outside to have a chat with our birds about upping their plumage factor. No dice!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: I hope you also noticed are far from musical our birds are. The lorikeets are also screechers rather than singers.

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  38. There's nothing common-looking about that butterfly - beautiful would be more apt. And those Lorikeets are gorgeous! They probably heard about your feeding ground and decided to move in.

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    1. River Fairchild: I often wonder how birds find out about the feeding schedule. Word of beak? The lorikeets are very, very pretty but have few manners.

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  39. A fabulous selection of Sunday photographs ... thank you.
    I enjoyed seeing the butterfly's and the colour of the lorikeets is simply amazing. In fact I said wow!

    Thanks for including the video clip.

    Have a good week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. Some cities get quite large flocks of the lorikeets which would be an amazing sight.

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  40. You are doing amazing things with your camera, EC. Those butterfly and bird shots up close are wonderful! The butterfly looks very uncommon to my eye. And I love the video. The baby's call reminds me of one of my husband's woodworking tools, although I'm not sure which one as I'm usually in a far off room when he's using them :)

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    1. jenny_o: Thank you. I am feeling a bit guilty about the camera. Himself gave me a much 'better' one, which I cannot come to terms with. And it doesn't do some of the things which this one does (like close-ups).

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  41. Love the butterflies. And the birds are lovely, so bright and perfect they don't look real. But then I've never seen a parrot in real life, only in movies and zoos. They don't live in Canada.

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    1. Olga Godim: Thank you. Canada gets birds I would love to see. Some of the owls and eagles for starters. I do love our birds, but also suffer from a little bird envy.

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  42. Replies
    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: They are. They have no manners and are bullies though. And greedy. Yesterday they put themselves in a quandary. The left the apple to investigate the feeder. A cockatoo moved to the apple. They saw him off. Then went back to the feeder and evicted the birds from it. Then back to the apple. Back to the feeder...

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  43. I agree with you. Those butterflies deserve a better name, a more aristocratic name.

    And the birds!!! Oh so beautiful. I don’t see birds with so many colours in this part of the world.

    The other day I did compare the musicality (or lack of) between the corellas and the ravens and crows. Their songs will never be used in music, for sure!!! : )

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    1. Caterina: Heavy metal bands could perhaps use some of our bird calls. Or punk.
      They are so very pretty though.

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  44. Such beautiful photos, amazing.

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  45. Wow! Awesome shots of the butterflies and birds here, Dear!

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    1. Cloudia: Thank you. Both were very, very beautiful.

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  46. The Rainbow Lorikeets are simply gorgeous

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    1. Small Kucing: They are very pretty aren't they? Bullies though.

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  47. Gorgeous shots of the butterflies and the birds!

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  48. Oh WOW...such gorgeous butterflies...and I've never seen a Lorikeet before! Such a beautiful bird.☺☺
    My sincerest thanks for sharing these amazing photos!

    Big hugs xoxoxo

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    1. Ygraine: It is my pleasure and I am very glad you enjoyed them.

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  49. Love the contrast on the 2nd and 3rd picture.
    Have a wondrous day.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Thank you - and a wondrous day and week to you too.

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  50. The eyes have it on that beauty of a butterfly. I laugh when I read the description "common" applied to it. I'd say that design is darned extraordinary. As to that songstress corella, I'd have to say I've finally heard a voice worse than mine. Thanks for the ego boost.

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    1. cleemckenzie: I feel quite musical by comparison too. But don't sing nearly as often (or as loudly) as the corella.
      Common is a woeful description of that beauty isn't it?

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  51. Looks like geese aren't the only birds that hiss. Great pics!

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    1. JEN Garrett: I too hiss and spit - and had never made the link between corellas, geese and myself. Thank you.

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  52. Such lovely and colorful butterflies and parrots. Enjoyed. Love the video. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: I am glad you enjoyed them, and hope that colour is returning to your world.

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  53. Dear EC, I so enjoy your blog! Leaning about the flora and fauna of your part of Australia is a true education for me. Thank you. Peace.

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    1. Dee: Thank you. I too learn every day from someone in the blogosphere. And am very grateful.

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  54. I love butterflies a bunch, but birds I LOVE so much. I had two zebra finches once who had a baby. Loved them. Recently, on some found film I saw that I had taken pictures of two parakeets. I don't remember owning parakeets!!! :)

    Your photos are breathtaking! Both the birds and butterflies' colors are so vivid.

    Teresa

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    1. T. Powell Coltrin: Thank you. Over the years we have become a bird obsessed household though they all fly free. I think after checking out your blog your parakeets are budgies. Pretty things.

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  55. Such beautiful photos. I love butterflies!

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  56. This is all remarkable, especially the last butterfly picture. That one, wow!
    Have a wonderful week, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Thank you. Butterflies are ephemeral magic aren't they? I hope your week is full of joy. And chocolate.

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  57. Wow to the delicacy and colour of the butterfly and birds! Gorgeous.

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  58. So lovely butterfly but parrots are my first favorite. Lovely colors. You have to be happy you can see such an exotic birds. The baby in the video was cute.
    Have a nice week.

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    1. orvokki: The lorikeets and the corella have both been back today. Several times. Very welcome visitors - even if they are noisy and bad mannered.

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  59. Beautiful butterflies and colorful birds. I have not seen such a bird. You are so lucky:)

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    1. Weekend-Windup: Thank you. We think we are lucky too. Very lucky.

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  60. I love those beautiful Lorikeets. They look to be the birds we fed in the Bahamas. Or very similar.

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    1. Sandra Cox: They are little jewels aren't they? Mannerless bullies as well though.

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  61. Ah, this is where all the colorful bursts of sun and fun and birds are! I sure am jealous.

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    1. Karen S.: We have a lot of colour and a lot of sun. And really, really need rain. I would like some blissful coolth too.

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  62. My heart is smiling! Thank you so much!
    I love the photo of the underneath of the butterfly wing! Wow! Your bird photos are priceless! Love the video! Truly love everything! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: I am so glad to make another heart smile with mine. Big hugs to you too.

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  63. I am so impressed by the subjects of today's pictures. But, I'm even more impressed by the photos themselves. You are a gifted photographer. I appreciate seeing all the beauty that simply visits your garden and which you capture so professionally. As always, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you. I am a beauty addict and lucky to find so much of it.

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  64. Great series of images....and as you know I am partial to things with wings!

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    1. David Gascoigne: Thank you. I hope you see these charmers and more when you visit. And look forward to seeing what a real photographer makes of them.

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  65. Your butterfly is so beautiful, uncommonly beautiful. I'm seeing fewer butterflies each year, I hope it's temporary

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    1. Kim: Snap. On both counts. I was very, very pleased to see a small flock of these stunners and realised how few I have seen this year.

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  66. I love all these beautiful flying creatures. I love my UK Birds but am always envious of the exotic beauties you have in Australia. All the best, Angela :-)

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    1. Angela: I suffer bird envy the world over. We have some beautiful birds, but few songsters.

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  67. Wow. I have such a hard time getting decent pics of butterflies. They never stay still long enough! And we have few pretty birds like yours here in Maine. The cardinal, maybe. And an occasion Painted Bunting. Or, maybe they're just pretty in different ways.

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    1. mshatch: Pretty in different ways. Your cardinals and Painted Buntings blow me away.

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  68. What a happy looking bird, the Rainbow Lorikeet. Thanks for the morning smile. So glad you get so many lovely winged visitors!

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. The Rainbow Lorikeets are bullies and have no manners, but you are right, they do look happy. And are welcome.

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  69. Lovely photos as always--and wildlife to die for too.

    Those lorikeets look to be in a mimosa, the climbing choice for every small child. I've written of our hummingbirds. We get two species, one of which didn't live within hundreds of miles of here when we came here in 1986. That's global warming at work.

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    1. Snowbrush: The lorikeets are in a Albizia julibrissin - that we know as a silk tree.
      Despite loving our own wildlife I do suffer from hummingbird envy. And sigh at our politicians who doubt climate change.

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