Australia’s Northern Territory is crocodile country, barramundi country, bird country and butterfly country and I’m just a wee baby on a DSLR camera and so heading out into the bush to find nice little things to learn about taking photos.
I bought an old Canon from a french traveller then some cheap second-hand lenses and got started. Nothing super flash but good enough for learning a few things.
I discovered a few little fresh water holes where thirsty little birdies of the region would take a drink and enjoy a game splish splash. There I was a big lug of a human. They were watching me too and stayed away. I was about to leave so they could drink and merry and then I thought It couldn't hurt to sing a song thanks so I started singing my lullaby of life song and within moments it was like they realised that I was just a big two-legged lug and no immediate threat and so they trusted me and brought their little birdy family of family and friends into the pond for a drink and some cool splashy fun. I managed to get some really nice photos too. It was interesting to see the protocols of safety and care that some of the species took.
In the photos you’ll see the Crimson Family of finches that came in to bathe. A beautiful red plumage and some adorned with a black cape. I used a really fast shutter speed to try to capture their wings flapping and water splashing and managed to capture an entire sequence of the protocols of the Crimson’s at bath time and learn a little about light and photos. :) It came in handy for when I encountered the endangered Gouldian finches later.
The Crimson Protocol
1- Sentry arrives to ensure the coast is clear and safe for the family arrive.
2- Send out the message to send in the troops or the family.. :)
3 - Bathtime is declared open
4 - The children splish
5 - an adult splashes and splashes into the others.
6- 7 - 8 everyone gets a turn for a drink and a swim and a little fun and then..
9- Other species swoop in calling time and it’s time for the Crimsons to flitter off and let the other birds come and play.
There are moments of mixed species but all the while, sentries stand guard over their own family of feathered friends. the honey eaters occasionally splash dive and add a little annoyance but all in all, all is safe..