Spinifex Pigeon Geophaps plumifera May 5th, 2018 Simpsons Gap, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia Canon EOS 1D X Mark II Canon EF 600mm f4L IS II USM lens Canon EF 1.4x III Extender Canon 600EX II-RT flash with extender This image was taken on our very first encounter with this species, an encounter we weren't expecting! We'd spent a few hours at the waterhole in the Gap unsuccessfully trying to photograph Painted Finches. On our way back to the car, we spotted a small flock of these beauties just off the pathway. To say we were super excited is an understatement!
Painted Finch (male) Emblema pictum May 5th, 2018 Simpson's Gap, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia Canon EOS 1D X Mark II Canon EF 600mm f4L IS II USM lens Canon EF 1.4x III Extender Canon 600EX II-RT flash One of the target species for our Alice Springs trip earlier this year were these incredibly colourful Painted Finches. Their markings are just stunning. They proved to be quite a difficult species to photograph - our best success came from waiting by a waterhole at Simpson's Gap.
Western Bowerbird (male) Chlamydera guttata May 3rd, 2018 Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia Canon EOS 1D X Mark II Canon EF 600mm f4L IS II USM lens Canon 600EX II-RT flash with extender This beautiful Western Bowerbird spent several minutes inspecting every inch of its bower ensuring everything was in order. The male of this species constructs an elaborate bower with which to attract females. The bower is decorated with green & white objects, including berries, fruits, shells, pebbles & bones, & even various man-made objects. I was even lucky enough to witness the male perform a dance when what I assume was a female dropped in to check out his handwork!
