Red Wattlebird | Andrew McInnes Photography

An assortment of images taken around Perth (and a few from nearby Yanchep) over the Austral spring, 2012.

Perth by night – a view from Kings Park.

Perth 2AM-113436
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Perth and the Swan River viewed from Matilda Bay.

Swan River 2AM-111873
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Perth, the Swan River, and a bevy of the river’s namesake (Black Swan) – viewed from Matilda Bay.

Swan River 2AM-111875
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

A Galah chew and rub spot on sugar gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx). This particular tree is one of over 300 comprising a tree-lined avenue in Kings Park, planted to honour Australian service personnel who died in the two World Wars and other engagements.

Galah 2AM-29701
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Laughing Kookaburra perusing its surrounds for prey items in the rain.

Laughing Kookaburra 2AM-29733
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (female) pauses its grazing upon new shoots and flowers at the University of Western Australia.

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo 2AM-29748
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Another view of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (male) that features the red tail feathers – at the University of Western Australia.

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo 2AM-29763
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

The Red Wattlebird is a “honeyeater” – a group of birds which have highly developed brush-tipped tongues adapted for nectar feeding on numerous plants including this kangaroo paw flower (kangaroo paw plants are endemic to the south-west of Western Australia).

Red Wattlebird 2AM-29724
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Although primarily a “honeyeater”, the Red Wattle Bird also eats a variety of insects which are often caught mid-air, and also some fruit.

Red Wattlebird 2AM-29723
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Now that I have introduced some floral aspects in the two preceding images, here is a series of images of everlasting daisies (everlastings), plus Sturt’s Desert Pea, and Mallee Eucalyptus.

Everlasting Daisies 2AM-111821
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Everlasting Daisies 2AM-111832
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Everlasting Daisies 2AM-111836
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Everlasting Daisies 2AM-111840
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Everlasting Daisies 2AM-111844
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Sturt’s Desert Pea 2AM-111851
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Mallee Eucalyptus 2AM-111843
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Up the road a little is a beautiful “terrace” beach at Yanchep, parts of which are sheltered by a reef which is delightfully overwashed. The image below shows this reef and placid waters immediately shoreward – we commented immediately that this is a wonderful spot for children to explore, enjoy, and hopefully be moved to curiosity.

Yanchep 2AM-112389
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

The numerous offshore reefs and the ragged limestone cliffs of this portion of the coast are steeped in maritime history.

Yanchep 2AM-112401
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Texture and movement as oceanic water reunites with former oceanic reefs.

Yanchep 2AM-112442
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Dusk painted the ocean with some wondrous hues, each exquisitely ephemeral .

Yanchep 2AM-112414
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

This is a “botanical” looking photo-blog – I am drawn to the fascinating textures and intricacies of the flora found in Australia and the apparent contrast of coarse vs. delicate. All these images, excepting the view of the city, were taken at Kings Park, Perth. http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park/

This is in no way presented as a thorough representation of the vast floral variety of Western Australia, let alone the whole continent.

Downtown Perth and the Swan River.
Viewed from South Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon EF24-105mm f/4 lens.
Copyright © Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Resplendent, ripe, and rough.

Ashby’s Banksia 2AM-29084.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

This Hooker’s Banksia flower is yet to open and reveal its intricate nectar laden bounty.

Hooker’s Banksia 2AM-110782
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

This Hooker’s Banksia flower has commenced its “great reveal.”

Hooker’s Banksia 2AM-110783
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Each of these “toes” will present a beautiful flower soon after this stage of development.

Not a masterpiece, just found this to be interesting.

There is “liquid gold” in there.

Aptly named flower/plant I thought: “Prickly Toothbrushes.”

This Red Wattlebird is among a Pouched Grevillea plant.

There are no hummingbirds in Australia. Instead, along with copious insects there are numerous bird families/species which appear to occupy that niche – the Red Wattlebird is but one.