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!
LikeLiked by 2 people
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! დ
LikeLiked by 3 people
Definitely not worried Cindy…but just imagine being stuck here because of the virus, 6 months at least while this thing is going on 😀
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 😂 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 😉 დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
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? 😂 🤣
LikeLike
I think we all need 6 month sentences, close to the coast preferentially…… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sold!!! 😂 🤣
LikeLike
😉 დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
These birds are not coloured at all but what a personality!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes and beauty in black and white დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how one of them looks at the other. It is so much said!
LikeLike
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 დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
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…
LikeLike
Poor birds do it, at least, once a year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a spectacular bird! I watched the BBC video, and it’s incredibly how they coordinate their movements and calls.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea, we clearly can’t lump all birds together and say they’re dumb. I don’t have much faith in Canadian geese though…
LikeLike
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! 😉 დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
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…..
LikeLike
Beautifull 🎀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you and I am happy you like them დ
LikeLike
Beautiful
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you & cheers to you დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
☺☺
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures of members of the giant monarch flycatcher family taken in Australia by Cindy Knoke.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Our feathered friends, and me, your friend, are grateful for you Patricia. Stay safe დ
LikeLike
Amazing! I love the birds. Thank you for the educational information.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahh, I love that you love the birds. I hope you know they love you too. Be well sweet lady დ
LikeLike
Thank you and I can see that the birds love you.
LikeLike
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 🙂 Ulli
LikeLiked by 2 people
How exciting to see the bee eaters! I look forward to hearing about your experience. Stay and well. These are strange days indeed. დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 🙂
LikeLike
So looking forward to it! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Beverly. It is most mutual. Stay safe and well my friend დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dancing must be serious business judging from their almost angry expression 🙂
Be safe, wherever you are 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
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 დ
LikeLike
Lovely photos. I had no idea what a magpie looked like, so thanks for educating me. They’re quite fun to look at!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you and you are most welcome. Their behavior is quite fun to watch too! Cheers to you & be well my friend დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cindy, thank you for sharing your wonderful photographs!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am always honored that you like them Charles. Thank you my friend and be well დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cindy, you are very welcome, and be well.
LikeLike
დდ
LikeLike
You are so thoughtful Charles and very much appreciated my friend. Thank you & stay safe დ
LikeLike
Beautifully illustrated Cindy, your closeups are really a credit, they bring out the beauty in detail.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am very happy you enjoyed them & thank you! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
The detail in your photos is gorgeous, far more than what we could see up close and in person. Thank you, Cindy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awww, thank you more for liking the birdies Jennie & cheers to you დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Cindy. And, many thanks and cheers to you!
LikeLike
დდ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness. I love the magpies!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aren’t they wonderful and delicate looking too. დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice pink protea. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think I’m going to plant some….. დ
LikeLike
Nice post 👍👏👏
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks much & cheers დ
LikeLike
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. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Crows remember bad things people do to them and the people who did it, for years, so I think they would make excellent detectives! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😉
LikeLike
That is amazing! I would love to see them share. They certainly are smart enough to learn to do that დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
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 😀
LikeLike
I have only seen one cardinal in my life. I would love to photograph your feeder! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just thought I’d let you know I saw a crow and a wren on the same feeder. I’m not sure that the crow knew the wren was actually there though 😉 Often the crows will be on or fighting for the feeder, but under the feeder there will be different birds catching the seed they knock down 😀
LikeLike
Oh how funny & wonderful! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here are more beautiful photographs from the wonderful photographer Cindy Knoke!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Urban Paradise indeed. Beautiful images. Thanks for the adventure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for joining me & cheers! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two for joy 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
A duet team, like you and your fiance, albeit, a lot more flighty! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love visiting botanical gardens. Beautiful photography.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Russel! Much appreciated დ
LikeLike
I love the magpies. They look like they are having a great conversation.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They certainly seem emotionally engaged don’t they! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cindy, those birds are a bit weird, just wathching them again….. they are freaky
LikeLiked by 2 people
Laughing…. Gotta love the freaky birdies Charly! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Grazie mille! დ
LikeLike
Lovely birds and the pink flowers! 💖💗
LikeLiked by 2 people
Grazie mille Amy & hope all is well with you! დ
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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 დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too Cindy ♥
LikeLike
დდ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol -They are both looking a little bit excentric. Seems the right one is the leader of the duo. 😉 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
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy you enjoyed Michael and yes bird brained means brilliant!! Stay safe and well my friend დ
LikeLike
That is attractive and beatiful watching
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, most appreciated & cheers to you! დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks ,easy come tou You
LikeLike
დდ
LikeLiked by 1 person
So interesting and beautiful. Great post! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you more for your very kind appreciation & cheers to you Laura დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: Sunday Post – 5th July, 2020 #Brainfluffbookblog #SundayPost | Brainfluff
So happy you enjoyed these magical birdies and cheers to you! დ
LikeLike
I love your Blog!! 🌸😊💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am enjoying your blog posts too, especially because I miss traveling due to covid. Take good care დ
LikeLike
What pretty little birds they are! Love meeting new species – thank you. ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
So happy to make the introduction & cheers to you Kerry დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
💖
LikeLike
Such a lovely sight❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
So happy you enjoyed & thank you! დ
LikeLike
Beautiful birds! We don’t often see a black-in-white combo in nature, I think. I can think only of the zebra, panda, the lovely dalmatian. I’m sure there are actually quite a few, but it’s still striking to me. Cheers to you, Cindy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I agree. Black and white is always elegant. Birds in tuxedos! დ
LikeLike
Lovely birds, Thank you Cindy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome dear friend დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cindy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the like and also for sharing your awesome post. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay well dear friend დ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good shots!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie mille Sande დ
LikeLiked by 1 person