20210402-MMPI0076
A couple of weeks since I last got out and pressed the shutter button, I ventured back to mey favourite local sopt of Oxley Creek Common on the mornign of Friday 2nd April 2021. Bird numbers weren't that great that morning, but I managed to find a few nice little subjects to concentrate on in some nice early morning light. First up was a bird I haven't managed too many shots of, the beautiful Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus). This female bird just kept on looking for insects in a Casuarina tree after sighting me, eventually coming up with a big juicy Caterpillar for her trouble. Moving on I found another bird that I somehow have trouble getting shots of - the Tawny Grassbird (Megalurus timoriensis). Although plentiful at many sites I visit, they are a little flighty and quickly disappear into the fields and out of lens reach. This individual was intent on searching for a feed in a small shrub, busily moving about and rarely coming out in the open. I managed a couple of reasonably clean shots before the Grassbird moved on. Right after this I came across a Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) which was carrying a Caterpillar it had caught, but seemed to not want to swallow. That was followed by a few more individuals of the same species in various settings and poses. Finally as I was leaving a pair of Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) landed in front of me, with the male perching on a gate and heralding my passing with his beautiful carolling call, with me warbling along with him. I even stood close by and he just kept singing, a very cool invididual indeed. A nice outing and after a short COVID lockdown and some recent inclement weather it was nice to get out and press the shutter again.
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