13 January 2014

Juvenile korimako (bellbird)


During the last week or so I've noticed two juvenile korimako (bellbird, Anthornis melanura) frequenting the harakeke (New Zealand flax) and other shrubs and trees along the driveway. This morning I made a point of taking the camera with me when I walked to the letterbox and, sure enough, the two youngsters and an adult appeared. This was the best of the photographs. The yellow on the forehead is pollen from the harakeke; the yellow at the base of the bill is an unequivocal indicator that this little bird isn't long out of the nest.


[13 January 2014, Olympus OM-D EM-1, Panasonic 100–300 mm at 218 mm, ISO 400, 1/1250 at f5.1]


All content © 2013 Pete McGregor
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13 comments:

  1. Elephant's Child13 January 2014 at 15:23

    Feathered enchantment.

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  2. Relatively Retiring13 January 2014 at 22:08

    Good luck, indeed. Such a precarious little life, and such a beautiful portrait of it.

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  3. pohanginapete13 January 2014 at 22:25

    EC, they're enchanting indeed.

    RR, thank you. I think these two are past the worst of the risks now. Jimmy (the farm cat) is now past his prime and never was much of a hunter, and not much else around here poses a serious predation risk. The weather might be the biggest threat. FIngers crossed.

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  4. Barbara Butler McCoy14 January 2014 at 01:13

    As always, your photos of your avian friends make me want to sing. The rich colors, the detail, the sense of motion - the bird looks like it's about to dance a bit - are wonderful. Thanks, Pete. Take care.

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  5. pohanginapete14 January 2014 at 08:27

    Thank you, Barbara :^)

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  6. Zhoen14 January 2014 at 13:50

    Such rich, subtle colors. And charming.

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  7. pohanginapete14 January 2014 at 14:20

    Zhoen — utterly charming. I didn't see them this morning, and missed them.

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  8. Anonymous17 January 2014 at 08:03

    If there's one song that bewitched me whilst hiking in NZ it was the call of the bell bird. What a great capture! -Maureen

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  9. pohanginapete17 January 2014 at 09:15

    Thanks Maureen. These youngsters haven't learned their songs yet, though, so they're not the most melodious of birds right now. ;^)

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  10. Unknown23 January 2014 at 03:55

    Wow! this is the pic that my wife and I tried to get this past spring of the bell bird. Nice shot!

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  11. pohanginapete23 January 2014 at 07:54

    Thanks Don. You might have better luck than me next spring, because these flax bushes were ripped out a few days ago. A great spot for photographing now gone.

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  12. butuki8 February 2014 at 17:26

    This is perhaps one of my favorite of all your photos. There is something about the flax seed pods and the manner and expression of the korimako that gives the image a feeling of joy and defiance. And the light and colors are just magic!

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  13. pohanginapete8 February 2014 at 21:08

    Thanks Miguel! I appreciate those comments from someone with the eye of an accomplished artist.

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Constructive criticism is welcomed (I particularly appreciate thoughts on what you like and don't like), but please keep it courteous.