H.J. Ruiz – Avian101 – Page 604 – "My Backyard Visitors" – All about birds

Birds and Animals of Australia’s Top End – Book Review

Birds and Animals of Australia’s Top End – Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine and Kunumurra

Authors: Nick Leseberg & Iain Campbell

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“I’m quite delighted to see a book-guide dedicated to the “Top end” of Australia where most of the known national parks are. The region covered by this guide is impressive for the amount of wildlife in terms of birds and other animals.

The photographs are superbly sharp and in full color, high quality to visually help get an identification of the species on reference with accurate scientific name and brief information about any distinctive key identifying factor. The guide has been structured with being very concise including also the location where the species can be found. The beauty of the australian birds and other animals are made evident being displayed on wonderful photographs obviously chosen to impress, for this complete guide. The authors own experience and knowledge has been applied in a conscious and very effective way to have achieved a winner guide.”

Brief review by: H.J. Ruiz – Avian101.wordpress.com – July 22nd, 2015

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Tags: birding, birds, important information, Interesting information, nature, photography, photos of birds

Look Outside My Window!

Never mind the weather, I had a nice week with the birds. Like being surprised by this beautiful fledgling Eastern Towhee, last week I saw a juvenile one and I felt so happy, now to see an even younger Towhee it’s great!… same evening I was on the deck looking at my recently mowed lawn when I noticed a little bird flying toward me and then sit on a branch about 2 feet from my face, it was the young Towhee and it wasn’t scared, he twitted a couple of times looking at me and flew off again. I loved that moment I immediately refilled the feeders and went in the house again totally satisfied! The little bird asked me for food!

In other occasion I’m in the middle of shooting pictures of birds, the background is dark because the trees, the light effect is dramatic but great… to my opinion. When I see a light blue dart going across my screen, it’s an Indigo Bunting! Going from light blue to darker blue every time it’s hit by direct sunlight. Of course I had to oblige and switched my attention to the new comer since it’s visits don’t take long. What a pleasure to see this outstandingly colored bird!

Once in a while I get to see a group of Brown-headed Cowbirds arriving all at once creating a bit of a commotion among birds, perhaps about 15 to 20 individuals which the majority are females, all taking turns to jump in and get some chow. Male cowbirds act very moody and dominant toward the females. Females vs. females are not gentle at all either.

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Bonus: An occasional visitor has the audacity to push around some birds and eat their seeds. The squirrel is daring and bold, going open like that. There are predators eyes watching from far at all times. Be careful…!

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101