A Cantankerous Bunch

There has been a bit of action of late at the Tapas Bar. The Noisy Miners have been a real pain in the arse, hassling all that visit.
Well it got me thinking of who fights with who. So I started going thru old photos and that’s how I came up with the title.
It seems birds, and I mean all birds, are Cantankerous. And non-discriminate.
They are so much like us.  They fight between species. They fight between partners. They fight between siblings.
Neighbourhood Harmony.
It has however, given me many amusing & sometimes wow moments.
Here are but a few;

Brotherly Love

I'd thought I'd start with my family of Burras, because they are the least likely to fight, yet they do on occasion.

These are my gentle giants. They're big with an equally impressive beak, capable of eating a lot of the Tapas Bar visitors. And it’s for that reason they’re given their space.

But sometimes fuses are short between the siblings and, more rarely, another species gets in their space. With the other species it usually by mistake and they regret their mistake very quickly & retreat. That is except for Cedrick & Daphne the Lorries. They don’t take a backward step.

This is Button, last years fledgling.

Now her older sister Bully is supposed to feed her,

But has decided to eat all the treats instead.

Button's had enough & nails her.

Biting the Hand that feeds you.

Mr Kookaburra, I must warn you......

I'm a red belt in Keet Kung Foo.....

The opposite of my gentle giants are the Lorries. These guys really are pugilists. The true bullies of the Tapas Bar. They will take on all and sundry. Very few get over the top of a Lorrie. My Burras are probably only 50/50, maybe.

The others, well, they know they have taken on a mouthful.  

However, recently there has been a bird that has had enough of the Lorries attitude and decided to give a bit back. And a most unlikely bird at that. The Judge John Deed (a Crested Pigeon) has a novel way to deal with them. He bumps them off the Tapas Bar with his bum. It’s was a hoot to watch (check out the video at the end of this blog).

Brave Baby is about to regret landing at the Tapas Bar.

Daphne is no mood to share.

"YOU"

"What?"

"I DON'T LIKE YOU"

"Why?"

"IT'S YOUR LOOKS"

"But I look just like you?"

NOW YOU DON'T.........

Cedrick has small bird syndrome.

The bigger the bird, the bigger his heart.

Photographic evidence of Evolution.

12 months ago Cedrick's was kicking the Judges arse.

12 months later....

If you've got the rump.....

Then do the bump.....

Red & Little John, a pair of Red Wattlebirds that have been regulars since the get-go, are a strange pair. They’re either instigating or copping a flogging.  Like the Lorries, all are fair game, except for my Burra’s, them they leave alone. These guys are fairly predictable. Breeding time increases their aggression, and for good reason. They lay an egg. Unfortunately for the Wattlebirds, this is what some have been waiting for. Kit the Green Catbird LOVES a fresh egg for breakfast. Kath & Kym, a pair of Koels, fly down from New Guinea each year looking for a Foster Family to raise their chick. They will eat a Wattlebird egg and replace with one of their own for the Wattlebirds raise as their own.

When you're feeding a bub the size of Goliath

I can understand where the aggression comes from.

I'd be pissed too if I had to feed a kid like this.

So I can understand the aggression towards Catbirds & Koels, but they don’t like Brad the Satin Bowerbird as well. Although not known for eating eggs, Brad is related to Kit the Green Catbird. Both are Bowerbirds. So I think maybe they are eggs thieves. Certainly the Wattlebirds give him the same treatment as Kit.

Some fights they win, some they lose.

"You Don't Scare Me, Red"

"What about now"

The Saratoga Sleeper hold

"Want to try that again Red?, Go on I dare you"

Mistake! Big Mistake!

Huge!!

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not a Catbird. I'm a Bowerbird"

"Just what I'd expect a Catbird to say."

NO!!!!!!!!

NOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Not... the... Saratoga... Sleeper... hold.........

So I’ll end this post, as it started, with those bloody Miners.  For the last month they have been dreadful. The Wattlebirds are driven away on approach, as are the Bowerbirds. The Lorikeets have only just started to re-frequent the Tapas Bar, and the Miners have left them alone so far, but early days.

And they say birds can't fly upside down.

Mal the Noisy Miner is getting the name of.......

Saratoga's worst Mozzie.

I’m telling you Bitey. It’s got worse.
They’re giving everyone a hard time. OK, almost everyone. They’re scared shitless of you guys.
They are even harassing the Judge over there & he doesn’t suffer fools gladly.
So we came up with a plan.
You eat them. Start with Mal. Make it look like an accident. You accidently tripped as you flew in and as you yelled your warning to Mal, that Noisiest of Miners, he jumps up straight into your mouth, like that Jonah & the Whale story.
The Judge said he would see that as “Death by Misadventure” even if it takes 10 or 20 smacks to get him down.

Thanks for getting so far. Here a few videos to send you off with a smile. See you next time.

Crested Pigeon disco dancing

https://youtu.be/pun2AmKtDRA

A Saratoga Haka

https://youtu.be/MQHXhCUOGho

Payback's a Beach

https://youtu.be/RiycOIIHgLE

Colour and Texture

Well it’s been an interesting month.

I had my sisters (Chris & Sheridan) up for the weekend. Chris bought her boyfriend Colin.
Now Colin is an ex-pom. He was telling us of his previous encounters with Australian wildlife soon after arriving in Aus.
He bought a rural block and decided to take his boys hunting.
Now there is a rule when walking thru the bush. Look in front of you.
A theory he struggles with. As you will see.

Armed with a shotgun, trudging along looking at his feet, he finally looks up to see a spider about to envelop his face.

Reflex, & the spider was atomised. Does everything in the fucking country attack you? That was his last foray hunting.

"NO! NO! NO! Is this right Brad?"

"Just don't pull back Col"

He then went on to describe his first experience camping, again with his boys.

Camping at a camping ground, some distance from the amenities block, he needed to relieve himself sometime during the night. Trudging down the track with eyes half closed (Yeah. I hear you. When will he learn), he walks into a Kangaroo (a big Red). Literally. Head-butts it in the chest (Colin’s shortish). The big Red, hissed his disapproval & it was at that time Colin realised he didn’t need the amenities block any more. Does everything in the fucking country attack you? That was his last foray camping.

"What happens if I do?"

"You might lose a finger"

So at my place I asked if he’d like to hand feed some Kookas. You’ll know his first question before I can finish typing it. DO THEY BITE? “Na, you’ll be right mate, they’re as gentle as lambs”
Imagine his trepidation. He’s about to feed a wild bird with a formidable beak. He’s being assured by Aussies with a twisted sense of humour. And his experiences to date haven’t been text book.

OH CHRIST

It had to be Bitey that was the first Kooka to fly up. He’s 4yrs old and knows what the drill is. But he is somewhat short of patience. Just as he leaned forward, Colin pulled back & Bitey missed his treat. We encouraged Col to try again.

Once bitten, twice shy, applies to both Kookaburra & Human.

Colin re-presented Biteys treat and again pulled back a bit, but held steady. Bitey however, thought he was going to miss his treat again so lurched out and caught Colin on the finger. Does everything in the fucking country attack you? That was his last foray feeding. Maybe???
There is a video link at the end of this post.

I had forgotten that feeling of excitement I had, when I first fed Boss 5 years ago.
Feeding a wild bird with a very big beak. Would it hurt? Would I bleed? Could I lose a finger?
These are the questions in the back of your mind.
Something akin to hand feeding Great Whites or wild Lions.
I can only imagine Colin’s sense of anticipation ...
That first time. And you didn’t lose a finger.
The smile says it all.

Brad & Shiloh are back, but it's been almost 6 months since I've seen Angelina. I'm guessing it's a father & son thing now.  And not much of that. With Bowerbirds, Brad will mate with a few females  during the season, but then has nothing to do with parental duties. With all the visits they’ve made, they are never seen together.  Shiloh, the green son of Brad will turn black at 7 years of age.

Father

And Son

I'mm Baack!!!

So, as for the title, you're probably aware I use flowers to add to my photos. Well, I have camellias growing out the front. Dreadful cut-flowers as they drop their petals very quickly. So I have dozens lying on the lawn waiting for the lawn mower. I picked up a few that had fallen during the night.

They gave me some great photos, but by the next day had shed most of their petals.

One...

Two...

Three...

WHERE? Where do they expect me to land?

Bloody Flowers.

Bloody Flowers

I Like the Bloody Flowers.

A few days later I noticed how good the petals still looked. While the flower dies fast, the petals last a lot longer. And that’s what gave me the idea to utilise all those fallen flowers.

Make a carpet of petals. I thought it would make for an interesting photo. It would certainly give colour & texture. Plus, I hadn’t tried it before.

I’m pretty chuffed with the result. You might see some more of this in my next blog if they are still in bloom.

A Splash of Colour

on a Grey Day.

A love hate relationship.

Mal the Noisy Miner & his family.

I hate the way they are driving the other birds away.

I love the photos they give me.

And they say birds can't fly upside down.

Eye Spy with my little eye,

Something starting with Chicken.

OK. Give me a break. I'm a bird & not real good with games.

Here's Mal harassing the Bloody Flowers.

Finger Lickin Good

Oops. That's right. They don't have fingers.

It's not KFC btw.

So I gather we're not sharing Brother.

HANG ON!!!!

What's going on here?

I'm normally the prettiest thing at the Tapas Bar.

Let’s raise our heads and give thanks for thy bounty.
There’s one in every crowd.
“Over the lips & past the gums”

Ku Klux Klutz

Couldn't even get the mask on right way round.

Mal the Noisy Miner

has been a real pain of late.

Like a Saratoga Mozzie.

I’m telling you Bitey. It’s got worse.

 They’re giving everyone a hard time. OK, almost everyone. They’re scared shitless of you guys. They are even harassing the Judge over there & he doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

 So we came up with a plan.

 You eat them. Start with Mal. Make it look like an accident. You accidently tripped as you flew in and as you yelled your warning to Mal, that Noisiest of Miners, he jumps up straight into your mouth, like that Jonah & the Whale story.

 The Judge said he would see that as “Death by Misadventure” even if it takes 10 or 20 smacks to get him down.

As well as having Camellia trees dropping flowers, I have a Mandarin tree dropping fruit. Some of the fruit on the tree have been bitten, as have some of the fallen fruit. I suspect it's either King Parrots or Bats in the trees and Brush turkeys on the ground. But it gave me an idea for some photos. So I picked a few. Mainly to see if the Satin Bowerbirds were interested, but also knowing the Kookas would explore. Especially Boof.
Well Brad & Shiloh the Bowerbirds were a no-show. But's OK, because Boof and his siblings made up for it.

Will He???

OR, won't he???

Let me look closely.

Yep, "A" Grade sugar hit.

This should rock me.

WOW man…. Look at me me….I’m a Koobbit.

Gotta love Mandarin.

"What are you hiding Boof?"

"Nothing. Why?"

"You just look guilty"

"BUGGER"

"So, you like Mandarin do you Boof?"

"Yeah. A little."

"You do know you're a Kookaburra?"

I don't have to take this abuse.

By God they’re quick.
I’m no slouch, but this guy beat me by a mile.
I hope no one saw that. How embarrassing.
Beaten by a piece of fruit. Didn’t even know they could move.

Enveloped in Softness

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night.

The Sun has gone to bed, and so must I.

Goodbye…Goodbye……Goodbye.

Bawahaha Christopher. I hope you enjoyed this.

Don't worry Colin. they don't bite.

https://youtu.be/ITpX4TihgXE