The Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney Australia are an urban bird paradise.
I found this pair of magpie larks singing and dancing happily in the park.
The name magpie lark is a misnomer as these handsome birds are neither magpies nor larks, but are members of the giant monarch flycatcher family.
Magpie larks are musical prodigies who sing co-ordinated duets together, timed by the metronomic movements of their synchronized dancing. See: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160803-the-strange-reason-magpie-larks-dance-when-nobody-is-looking
Cheers to you from the magical birdies of Oz~
Yay! I can comment on your blog!
Obviously I am having WP issues with comments.
However, no issues with these beauties and this wonderful post. What a feast of photography Australia is! Thank you, Cindy!
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I am worried the Australians are going to get tired of me hijacking their country with my photos. Sorry guys, your country is a minute by minute photographic feast! If it weren’t for my family, I would probably still be there! α
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Definitely not worried Cindy…but just imagine being stuck here because of the virus, 6 months at least while this thing is going on π
Would you like me to give a call to customs, I’m sure I could convince them you’ve stolen all our birds and they must bring you back for questioning…and then you can’t go back because of the virus, when they realise you’ve only taken their pictures lol π π€£
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Yes! Please! Thank you! Please do this. Would it be to much trouble, to charge my husband, my son, my daughter, her husband and the two twin 20 month old boys???? Think how much they would like to meet a wallaby on a walk, a wombat in the garden, an echidna in the driveway, and then of course, the birds, the dolphins in the bay….I could keep going on. You lucky Aussies you. Love to you and your awesome continent. If I get arrested, I will be so thanking you π α
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Lol, I’ve never heard anyone so keen on being arrested. I’ll see what I can do Cindy. Was that 3 months or 6? π π€£
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I think we all need 6 month sentences, close to the coast preferentially…… π
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Sold!!! π π€£
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π α
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These birds are not coloured at all but what a personality!
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Yes and beauty in black and white α
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I love how one of them looks at the other. It is so much said!
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You have a discerning eye Alexander. There is a lot being said here. This is a nearly near adolescent bird dancing, fluffling, singing, wanting more food from the parent. The parent has that jaundiced look, thinking I can’t keep doing this….. I see this with so many bird parents here at The Holler. It is a hard break for the fledgling, and for the parents α
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Thank you, Cindy. I just like to observe and sometimes find something what catch my eyes.
Thanks God, we do not need to feed our kids anymore… Lol…
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Poor birds do it, at least, once a year!
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That’s a spectacular bird! I watched the BBC video, and it’s incredibly how they coordinate their movements and calls.
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Aren’t they amazing! Bird brained means brilliant brained and I love the scientist who came up with the replica idea, you could tell he had fun with this study! α
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Yea, we clearly can’t lump all birds together and say they’re dumb. I don’t have much faith in Canadian geese though…
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Oh my gosh, they are so adaptive, which means clever and survivable. They migrate everywhere they shouldn’t go, to the high desert near to us, to the mountains with the snow near us. I mean they are claiming prime southern california real estate without paying a penny! And they are staying. Why not. Free rent. People here think they are awesome and exotic and feed them (my family and me too). They fly in. Stay. Own it. Never pay a penny. I should be so smart! π α
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Haha be careful, those geese will take over everything! I guess that’s a sign of some level of intelligence, though. But, one thing I know for certain is that they have no idea how to navigate traffic. No matter what side of the road they’re on when you approach them, they always run straight in front of your car…sort of like squirrels, but larger.
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My son explained the squirrel thing to me. He said over the process of evolution, bolting fast, even towards a large predator when it is also moving fast, can distract the predator and increase the odds of the squirrel escaping. It may have been a good strategy for the eons of evolution for squirrels, that and bolting into holes. Cars, evolutionarily speaking, they are super newbies on the block, so maybe we need to give the squirrels more time…..
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Beautifull π
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Thank you and I am happy you like them α
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Beautiful
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Thank you & cheers to you α
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βΊβΊ
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures of members of the giant monarch flycatcher family taken in Australia by Cindy Knoke.
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Our feathered friends, and me, your friend, are grateful for you Patricia. Stay safe α
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Amazing! I love the birds. Thank you for the educational information.
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Ahh, I love that you love the birds. I hope you know they love you too. Be well sweet lady α
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Thank you and I can see that the birds love you.
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Nice captures, never heard of these birds, there are just too many different ones. We will be looking for bee-eaters, etc. on Saturday, our 2nd guided ornithlogical excursion this year – with COVID19 precautionary rules – after finish of lockdown several weeks ago. Quite disturbing and bizarre times also here in Germany. Stay safe π Ulli
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How exciting to see the bee eaters! I look forward to hearing about your experience. Stay and well. These are strange days indeed. α
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Bee eater feature to follow within 10-14 days showing the Northiest site on Earth where they live a short time in summer here with us. π
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So looking forward to it! α
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Thank you Beverly. It is most mutual. Stay safe and well my friend α
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Dancing must be serious business judging from their almost angry expression π
Be safe, wherever you are π
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Laughing….I think this dancing and singing involved an adolescent trying to cage food from a tired parent, hence the fed up expression. They still did sing and dance though. And thank you, you stay safe too α
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Lovely photos. I had no idea what a magpie looked like, so thanks for educating me. They’re quite fun to look at!
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Thank you and you are most welcome. Their behavior is quite fun to watch too! Cheers to you & be well my friend α
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Cindy, thank you for sharing your wonderful photographs!
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I am always honored that you like them Charles. Thank you my friend and be well α
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Cindy, you are very welcome, and be well.
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αα
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You are so thoughtful Charles and very much appreciated my friend. Thank you & stay safe α
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Beautifully illustrated Cindy, your closeups are really a credit, they bring out the beauty in detail.
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I am very happy you enjoyed them & thank you! α
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The detail in your photos is gorgeous, far more than what we could see up close and in person. Thank you, Cindy!
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Awww, thank you more for liking the birdies Jennie & cheers to you α
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My pleasure, Cindy. And, many thanks and cheers to you!
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αα
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Oh my goodness. I love the magpies!
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Aren’t they wonderful and delicate looking too. α
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Nice pink protea. π
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I think I’m going to plant some….. α
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Nice post πππ
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Thanks much & cheers α
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Just read a children’s book called ‘Johnathan Crow, Detective. I’m sure one (or more of the short story chapters featured a meadow lark. π
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Crows remember bad things people do to them and the people who did it, for years, so I think they would make excellent detectives! α
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I think I was surprised when the book related that Johnathan Crow was over twenty years old. I do chase the crows from the bird feeder from time to time, but I also give them turns.
I think some of them have learned to share… the feeder that is. π
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That is amazing! I would love to see them share. They certainly are smart enough to learn to do that α
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Not often but I’ve seen the crow and a catbird on the feeder at the same time. Sometimes a Cardinal and wrens will be on the feeder and a crow will be on the ground below and visa versa π
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I have only seen one cardinal in my life. I would love to photograph your feeder! α
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Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here are more beautiful photographs from the wonderful photographer Cindy Knoke!
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Urban Paradise indeed. Beautiful images. Thanks for the adventure.
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Thank you for joining me & cheers! α
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Two for joy π
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A duet team, like you and your fiance, albeit, a lot more flighty! π
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I love visiting botanical gardens. Beautiful photography.
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Thank you very much Russel! Much appreciated α
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I love the magpies. They look like they are having a great conversation.
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They certainly seem emotionally engaged don’t they! α
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Cindy, those birds are a bit weird, just wathching them again….. they are freaky
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Laughing…. Gotta love the freaky birdies Charly! α
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Beautiful…
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Grazie mille! α
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Lovely birds and the pink flowers! ππ
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Grazie mille Amy & hope all is well with you! α
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Brighten your day as it did mine.. these amazing Magpie Larks who sing duets..and dance.. there is a video to watch that is enchanting.. more wonders of the natural world.. this time from Australia.. courtesy of the photography of Cindy Knoke.. beautiful.
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Awww, you are the best Sally! Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. I am happy the wild birdies brighten your day as they do mine. Stay safe and well my friend α
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You too Cindy β₯
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αα
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Lol -They are both looking a little bit excentric. Seems the right one is the leader of the duo. π Thank you for sharing another wonderful birds with me, Cindy. Unbelievable how intelligent and famous birds are all over the world. Be well and stay save. Michael
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Happy you enjoyed Michael and yes bird brained means brilliant!! Stay safe and well my friend α
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That is attractive and beatiful watching
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Thanks so much, most appreciated & cheers to you! α
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Thanks ,easy come tou You
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αα
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So interesting and beautiful. Great post! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you more for your very kind appreciation & cheers to you Laura α
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Cindy, these birds are beautiful indeed and you did a fine job on capturing the Black and White colors with perfection! It is hard for me to get the details of the blacks without blowing the whites with such a photo but you nailed it beautifully.
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So happy you enjoyed these magical birdies and cheers to you! α
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I love your Blog!! πΈππ
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I am enjoying your blog posts too, especially because I miss traveling due to covid. Take good care α
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What pretty little birds they are! Love meeting new species – thank you. β€οΈ
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So happy to make the introduction & cheers to you Kerry α
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π
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Such a lovely sightβ€οΈ
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So happy you enjoyed & thank you! α
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